Here's something interesting:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/copyright/prot-databases/prot-data...
We've had a copyright-like protection of databases (collections of facts) for nearly ten years now, and the EU Commission has just published a study of the impact of this directive on the "database industry".
Somewhat to their displeasure, it seems, the study has shown that the database industry hasn't grown (in fact, it shrunk), and there isn't an economic justification for the directive. They did, however, survey the industry to see what the industry thought of it, and people who make databases apparently like the directive. "So that's alright, then" :)
James Boyle at the FT captures this nicely:
"Imagine applying these arguments to a drug trial. The patients in the control group have done better than those given the drug, and there is evidence that the drug might be harmful. But the drug companies like their profits, and want to keep the drug on the market. Though “somewhat at odds” with the evidence, this is a “political reality.” Getting rid of the drug would reopen the debate on the search for a cure. Change is costly – true. But what is the purpose of a review, if the status quo is always to be preferred?"
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/99610a50-7bb2-11da-ab8e-0000779e2340.html
There is now a period of feedback on the report. Although database rights have only a limited impact on free software, I think we are stakeholders and should reply to the EU. Also, it's another chance to open the eyes of our politicians to the problems these laws cause :)
Cheers,
Alex.