question about software patents (sandisk/sisvel)

[Hanno Böck]

Hi,

I have a question about this case (german article):
http://www.golem.de/0609/47577.html

Now, from what I know, software patents aren't allowed in europe (that's why 
we were demonstrating in front of the european parliament last spring and 
succeeded).
So, why is it possible that a company takes legal action for patents on 
mp3-stuff?
- Is this one of the "epa gives sw-patents although they're not allowed"-case? 
Then, why don't companies like sandisk take legal actions against the patent?
- Is this in someway not considered "software"?
- What else is going on there?

I never got a really competent answer on why the mp3-patent seems to be valid 
in europe, so I hope anyone here has deeper knowledge. I think it's important 
for free software projects like ffmpeg, mad or lame to have this situation 
cleared up.

cu,

-- 
Hanno Böck		Blog:   http://www.hboeck.de/
GPG: 3DBD3B20		Jabber: jabber at hboeck.de
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