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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."

3 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Open letter from SuSE by FonkiE · · Score: 5, Informative


    SuSE wrote an open letter [german] today. Translation is here.
    They are of course against software patents...

  2. Re:Interesting. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    READ THE ARTICLE YOU CRETINS! Only Arlene Macarthy complained of harassment for reasons that are perfectly obvious to anyone who knows ANYTHING about the situation. Who the hell is modding this shit as insightful?

  3. Re:you gotta love the European Parliament... by ahillen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Which EU *Member State* do you live in? If I am to believe what the Financial Times reports, the turnout for EU Parliament elections in the U.K. are frequently at or below the 10% threshhold. I would also imagine that in other EU Member States that have a low regard for the Eurocracy also poll quite low as well (Sweden perhaps?)...

    Why dont you just inform yoursel before just writing some wild guesses and thus givin a wrong impression? A simple Google search ("europarl European Elections") gives you as 4th link the UK office of the european parlament with information on the election turnout (http://www.europarl.org.uk/guide/textonly/Gelectt x.htm#facts) (please not the word facts at the end... ;) ).

    To quote some numbers:
    UK turnout has been between 24% and 36% in the last 5 elections, which is not at or below the 10% threshhold.
    Sweden had a turnout of 41.6% and 38.3% in the 2 elections it took part.
    Denmark had between 46.1% and 52.9%.
    Belgium had aturnout alway >=90%.
    EU average had been between 49.4% and 63%.
    Unfortunately there is a negative trend, so in 20 years your statement might become true (which is especially sad because the EU parlament becomes more and more important...)

    if France and Germany are not forced to meet their treaty obligations...

    As a German I can say that at least the fact that Germany is breaking the stability pact for the second year in a row is not due to unwillingness, but due to inaptitude