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Lobbying For Linux

Posted by timothy on from the man-on-the-ground dept.

Telex4 writes "Slashdot has heard a lot lately about why software patents are bad, and the passage of the legislation in the EU. But other than the online demo and a few pictures of the demonstration outside the European Parliament, Slashdotters hear little about the real behind-the-scenes lobbying. I've just put an article up on Newsforge describing and discussing my experiences lobbying inside the Parliament that might shed a little light on what we mortal geeks can do to save ourselves. There are some accompanying photos on my web site for those who like visual aids." (NewsForge and Slashdot are both part of OSDN.)

2 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. What to do? by Elektroschock · · Score: 5, Informative

    Time is running out. We will not stop this directive but we can support important amendments filed by some MEPs in order to get a sufficient directive.

    Adresses of EU - representatives

    http://wwwdb.europarl.eu.int/ep5/owa/p_meps2.rep ar tition?ipid=0&ilg=EN&iorig=home&imsg=

    personal > telephone call > Fax > letter > email

    The directive is called COM(02)92, it will be voted on Wednesday.

    Info about Amendments (please directly refer to these, no general texts, the first link is a must read):

    http://swpat.ffii.org/papiere/eubsa-swpat0202/pl en 0309/index.en.html
    http://swpat.ffii.org/papiere/ eubsa-swpat0202/plen 0309/kond/index.en.html

    It is especially useful to support Mrs. Kauppi against patent radical Wurmling in the conservative group

    http://swpat.ffii.org/#wuermeling-pr030919

    Background

    General:
    http://swpat.ffii.org/analyse/index.de.html

    Technical contribution (what is really meant, we want a definition in the directive based on the "natural forces" theory):
    http://swpat.ffii.org/papiere/eubsa-swpa t0202/tech /index.en.html

    Program claims (dangerous for web site owners):
    http://swpat.ffii.org/papiere/eubsa-swpa t0202/prog /index.en.html

    Interoperability (support ITRE against Juri proposal)
    http://swpat.ffii.org/papiere/eubsa-swp at0202/itop /index.en.html

    Don't write to Green party members or EFA as they are convinced yet, focus on Liberals, Conservative(Finnish MEP Kauppi has made good amendments)
    and Social democrats

    One of the funniest arguments was Wurmling's text who stated that Eolas vs. Microsoft showed best practise for SME. Incompetence and lies rule within the EU parliament. We shall not let patent lawyer interest groups win this battle.

  2. Re:Thank you. by Elektroschock · · Score: 4, Informative
    There was a huge demonstration yesterday in front of the Munich EPO. About 500 participants dressed in black T-shirts.
    In Vienna 400 demonstrated.

    Similar events will be organized across Europe, in Madrid, Poland, Duesseldorf, Berlin, Paris, ...

    Sept 23 there will be a demonstration in Strassbourg. And another Online demo will be started.
    http://wiki.ael.be/index.php/InfoStands
    http://wiki.ael.be/index.php/OnlineDemo