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European Parliament Clashes Over Software Patents

Posted by michael on from the civilized-debate-as-usual dept.

D4C5CE writes "The European Parliament's Daily Notebook reports on the turbulent final plenary debate this morning regarding a draft Directive to legalize Software Patents (which are currently unlawful under Art.52 (2) (c) of the European Patent Convention). The Notebook quotes some truly bizarre views and arguments (which no doubt you'll take the time to point out to Members of the European Parliament before tomorrow's vote), with some MEPs even claiming to feel harassed because they are suddenly also being lobbied by numerous concerned citizens, rather than solely by industry representatives as usual."

10 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. The citizens are coming after them with pitchfork. by Delron+Da+Thugg · · Score: 4, Funny

    "because they are suddenly also being lobbied by numerous concerned citizens, rather than solely by industry representatives as usual." Let's see if the citizens have as much sway as the real lobbies...probably only when they come with pitchforks and torches.

  2. Heaven forefend! by Atario · · Score: 5, Funny

    with some MEPs even claiming to feel harassed because they are suddenly also being lobbied by numerous concerned citizens, rather than solely by industry representatives as usual.

    Imagine that -- contacted by (ugh) commoners. Oh, the ignominy!

    --
    "A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy." --Theodore Roosevelt
    1. Re:Heaven forefend! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Symptoms: "...some MEPs even claiming to feel harassed..."
      Diagnosis: results of /. effect hitting a real person, not a computer

  3. I For One... by dduardo · · Score: 1, Funny

    I for one welcome our software patent overlords.

  4. you gotta love the European Parliament... by The+Lynxpro · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I were an EU citizen, I'd certainly run for office. How can you not win a constituency when less than 10% of people turn out for the voting?

    10. Gain EU Citizenship through the liberal citizenry laws in the Republic of Ireland.

    20. Move to an EU country, err, excuse me, "Member State."

    30. Run for the EU Parliament. Have 2 people vote for me and I win my seat!

    40. PROFIT!!!

    --
    "Right now, somewhere in this world, Scott Baio is plowing a woman he doesn't love," - Peter Griffin, *Family Guy*
  5. Re:Open letter from SuSE by Kumkwat · · Score: 2, Funny


    Anybody got a translation that's in English?

  6. Just look at the U.S. by Ikeya · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean, software patents work so great over here with no problems at all! They should just model their system after the U.S.!

    --
    ---- Move SIG...For great justice!
  7. works out better here in the US... by commodoresloat · · Score: 2, Funny

    10. Gain US citizenship

    20. Move to California and become body-building movie star

    30. Run for governor without even bothering to wait until the last one's term is up

    40. PROPHET!!!

  8. Re:Interesting. by EvilAlien · · Score: 2, Funny
    I'll live where I'm free to code without fear of the DMCA and where I'm free to read without the government looking up my library records and where my children will get education and we'll all get health care and where my neighbor can smoke a J and it's no big deal because it really isn't a big deal and all that drug war money is instead spent to make life better. Imagine a land where you're free to tinker, and where we're brave enough to allow personal choices.
    You just described Canada... except you missed the part about the bears, coyotes, and other assorted wildlife roaming freely in our cities ;)

    We're not so big on the personal choice thing (our government likes to take away choice so that we don't hurt ourselves), but otherwise its pretty accurate.

    --
    perl -e 'print $i=pack(c5, (41*2), sqrt(7056), (unpack(c,H)-2), oct(115), 10)'
  9. Re:Interesting. by aastanna · · Score: 4, Funny
    You just described Canada
    I was thinking the exact same thing, but I wonder how many people won't know that the bit about bears and coyotes roaming the cities is a joke.

    Also, I'd like to throw in the obligitory comments about being able to walk down the streat and not get shot, and being able to visit other countries with your flag sewn on your backpack and not get shot...and...just generally not get shot.