Germany to Vote Against Software Patents in the EU

YKW writes "According to Ars Technica, Germany has decided to vote against all changes to current European patent laws. In a statement given to demonstrators in Germany, Federal Department of Justice Minsterial Director Elmar Hucko read the riot act to the EC: 'Under no circumstances do we want American procedures in Europe, Hucko vowed with regard to the US patent process. A patent must be "a fair reward for a bona fide invention and not abused as a strategy to bludgeon competitors.' With the largest EU member against software patents and French IT leaders lobbying their goverment to vote against them too, Europe might be saved from software patents. At least for a while. An older Slashdot article about software patents in Europe is here."

Comments

Re:europs is finally free

[Akimotos]

Hi Steve, I'm from Holland ... yes, the very nation that in 1777 fired the first official salute at an American frigate... thereby we OFFICIALLY were the FIRST country to recognize the independent state of America. Let's see the libaration in 1945 as payback. Okay? But let me tell you... you liberated us for the same reason as we helped Washington arm his people to kick the English out: we were unable to trade in English territory, so better help someone else in power... That was what America was doing in Europe... both in WW1 as in WW2 (and Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Grenada, Panama, Honduras, and you name 'm.... No problem with that, but let's not make a glorious story about it. Okay?

Re:Foreign competitors

[the_meager]

Abolishing the European Union. (How Europeans can increase their social freedoms and strengthen their economies).

http://www.guykind.com/politics/abolishing_the_e ur opean_union.htm

The U.S. is currently going downhill as a result of wanting to be more European (thanks Liberals and ignorant youths who think "free healthcare" and "Free education" works. TANSTAAFL!)