Also she sent out this PR in January
Alex
Begin forwarded message:
From: "DOYLE Avril" adoyle@europarl.eu.int Date: January 31, 2005 22:14:49 GMT+08:00 To: "DOYLE Avril ASSISTANT" adoyle-assistant@europarl.eu.int Subject: Software Patents - Innovation or Litigation? - Doyle
AVRIL DOYLE MEP For The East Leader of the Irish Delegation of the EPP-ED Monday 31st January 2005 PRESS STATEMENT Software Patents - Innovation or Litigation? · Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to address MEPs · Doyle questions the impact of proposed Software Patents Directive Speaking in advance of meetings to be held tomorrow (Tuesday) between Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft, and representatives of the European Parliament, Avril Doyle MEP called on the Council and the Parliament to carefully consider the implications of the draft directive on computer implemented inventions or the "Software Patents Directive". The Directive, which is currently being debated in the European Council, prior to a second reading in the Parliament, aims to clarify and harmonise the laws of the EU Member States, in line with Europe´s obligations under the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The implications of this legislation for Irish software developers and the economy at large are a matter of great concern. It will considerably clarify strengthen the mandate of the European Patents Office by codifying existing case-law. Doyle said "While a proper legislative framework is required to provide legal certainty for businesses operating in the area of software development, we need to be extremely careful that the right balance is struck between safeguarding affordable access to basic information for both large and small IT companies, and protecting the intellectual property of developers who design genuinely innovative products". "Protection for legitimate investment in research and development is essential to foster innovation, however US-style patents are not the only option. The effects of large-scale pre-emptive patenting by the software industry big players is a highly contentious issue in the United States. Many experts are of the belief that the US patenting system has directly led to the establishment of monopolies and a consequent reduction in competition - the end result of which has been a restriction of choice and increased prices for consumers. Legislators in Europe must learn from the experience of the United States before setting rules at a European level. I will be very interested to hear the views of Mr. Gates in relation to this debate". Commenting on the key points of dispute in the draft Directive, Doyle said "Above all, we do not want to go down the road of instigating lengthy legal battles. The wording of the Directive must be sufficiently unambiguous to keep disputes over intellectual property in this highly dynamic field out of court in so far as possible. Without a clear definition of what constitutes a "technical contribution to the state of the art", that takes into account rapid technological advances, the legislation will not be worth the paper it is written on". ENDs For further information please contact: Majella O Doherty M: 00 32 475 75 22 53 E: modoherty@europarl.eu.int Or Avril Doyle MEP for the East T: 00 32 2 28 47584
- The Fine Gael Delegation belongs to the EPP-ED which is the largest
and most influential political group in the European Parliament.
Alex alex@cgce.net -- Interpol and Deutsche Bank, FBI and Scotland Yard Flensburg and the BKA, have our data. Kraftwerk, ComputerWelt (translated)