(Fwd) [Fsfe-ie] Irish proposal on software patents passed

[Wim De Smet]

On Tue, 18 May 2004 20:21:17 +0100
"Niall Douglas" <s_fsfeurope2 at nedprod.com> wrote:
> 
> Most unfortunate :(
> 
> I guess we'll be having fun lobbying the MEP's again to vote no 
> shortly.
> 
> Cheers,
> Niall
> 
> - ------- Forwarded message follows -------
> Hi John,
> 
> News just in is that the Irish proposal on software patents was
> passed, this is a dark day for innovation in the European Software
> industry, not to mention for democracy in the EU.
> 
> This is an (apparently successful) attempt by the pro-patent lobby to
> torpedo the whole directive on software patents, since they are well
> aware that the European Parliament is extremely unlikely to vote for
> this version when it is returned to them (because it removes all of
> their amendments and safeguards).
> 
> Their strategy seems to be that having effectively killed this 
> directive, they will now pursue the introduction of software patents
> through less transparent means, doing everything they can to minimise
> democratic scrutiny of their actions.
> 
> In short, a small cabal of unelected beaurocrats are seeking to
> rewrite European law to increase their own powers and appease their
> friends in industry.  They are doing so against the express wishes of
> the EU's democratically elected representatives in the European
> Parliament.  To achieve this goal they are using every trick in the
> book to minimise or evade democratic scrutiny and accountability.
> 
> Kind regards,
> 
> Ian.
> 
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> - ------- End of forwarded message -------
> 

Important to note, two things:
- the resolution will now go back to parliament (so it can still change)
- it's a slightly less bold version than the one they started it. There
are some safeguards against pure software patents (but probably not
enough). So there is still hope in ending with a decent proposol.

greets,
Wim