Linux Format forums

Re: EU bins software patent directive

jjmac — Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:14 pm

Author: jjmac

Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 1:14 pm

>>
What this means is that things stay the same. The European Patent office continues to grant spurious patents, and it's up to member states to decide locally which ones they enforce. The whole idea of a common position was to unify the laws regarding patents across the EU, and for the moment that won't happen.

That's the reason there was such a huge majority - both pro and anti patent supporters wanted to kill it. The other option was to pass it and vote on each of the proposed ammendments, which was more risky.
>>

Good point ... there always seems to be an angle somewhere and especially so in politics.

Sounds like the pro lobby may have been afraid of a vote currently

>>
However, while the European Commission says it didn't plan to reintroduce this directive, eventually patent law will have to be unified across the EU somehow.
>>

Politics often go for the "time" card. If you can drag it on for long enough, or stick a lid on it for a time ... eventually the public may just bored, or actually forget the whole thing ... an old trick.

Still ... good news for now, not only for the EU either. This side of the world will be strongly influenced by whatever happens over your way.

jm

Re: EU bins software patent directive

nordle — Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:57 pm

Author: nordle

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:57 pm

The best option is to have an official outlaw of software patents, having said that, I thought thats what we've already got, even though the ukpo still hands out patents which are apprently illegal.

http://www.european-patent-office.org/legal/epc/e/ar52.html

Re: EU bins software patent directive

A-Wing — Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:37 pm

Author: A-Wing

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:37 pm

All we need now is SCO to go under and Bill to be caught naked with a goat an this year will be complete

Re: EU bins software patent directive

evilnick — Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:43 pm

Author: evilnick

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:43 pm

It is good news. It is really. But not the best news.

What this means is that things stay the same. The European Patent office continues to grant spurious patents, and it's up to member states to decide locally which ones they enforce. The whole idea of a common position was to unify the laws regarding patents across the EU, and for the moment that won't happen.

That's the reason there was such a huge majority - both pro and anti patent supporters wanted to kill it. The other option was to pass it and vote on each of the proposed ammendments, which was more risky. Binning the whole thing is a compromise, but one that favours open source much more than big business.

However, while the European Commission says it didn't plan to reintroduce this directive, eventually patent law will have to be unified across the EU somehow. As Rhakios so wisely says, we may see something similar in the future.

But hey! let's celebrate. Apparently democracy works!

RE: Re: RE: EU bins software patent directive

towy71 — Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:20 pm

Author: towy71

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:20 pm

This poll is silly and an offensive waste of resources
but what the hell, throw hats in the air and prepare to get shafted by some sneaky manouvre by some faceless bastard in the pay of an international software manufacturer

RE: Re: RE: EU bins software patent directive

Rhakios — Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:53 pm

Author: Rhakios

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:53 pm

It may be dead, but I notice it has not been buried. I have the nasty feeling that we may see something like it again, bolts through its neck and all that sort of thing

Re: RE: EU bins software patent directive

Flea — Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:13 pm

Author: Flea

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:13 pm

linuxgirlie wrote:

WooHoo (Think Homer Simpson....hehe)

I think you mean WooHoo

Serioulsly, this is REALLY good news!!

Dave

RE: EU bins software patent directive

bigbee — Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:05 pm

Author: bigbee

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:05 pm

w00t!!!

RE: EU bins software patent directive

linuxgirlie — Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:49 pm

Author: linuxgirlie

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:49 pm

WooHoo (Think Homer Simpson....hehe)

EU bins software patent directive

guy — Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:37 pm

Author: guy

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:37 pm

Na na-na naa, na naa na-na NA!

Look at the size of that majority!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/06/eu_bins_swpat/

<dances jig and knocks over cat/>