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Posted by "Neil Williams" <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Update Feb 2008 (Fosdem) The old directive is dead but there are moves to dress it in new clothes and launch the whole argument again. See http://www.killsoftwarepatents.com/ It's time to restart the fight and this time destroy not just the directive but the entire idea of software patents in Europe - the last resort of monopolists against free software and open standards. All the info on the old directive is here: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/members/wiki/?id=links/Software+patents Software patents being granted in EU on "what software can do" despite not allowed on the software itself - this is a distinction that only patent lawyers can perceive, the lack of any logic basis for the "distinction" is irrelevant to their assumptions, it has the feel of a matter of faith. EPO is still pushing for a US-style patent system that allows patents on anything. Patents stifle innovation, the invention patented is merely the patent itself. The inventor is the patent lawyer because the patent holder is the lawyer, not the inventor in the vast majority of cases. When EPO talk about inventions, hear it as patent. When the EPO talk about inventors, hear it as patent lawyers. Kill software patents - there is no justification. All of the arguments for patents are debunked at: http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/blogs/in_defense_of_software_patents Please read the copious information on the previous fight already on the DCGLUG wiki before replying - join the killsoftwarepatents.com mailing list and protect free software and open standards - don't let open standards be corrupted by basing the "open" standard on software patents. -- Neil Williams ============= http://www.data-freedom.org/ http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/ http://www.linux.codehelp.co.uk/ -- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Generated by the contributors page in the members area at D+C GLUG http://www.dcglug.org.uk/members/list.php webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html