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Dutch Parliament Reverses Software Patent Vote
Sanity writes "On May 18th, by a thin majority, the European Council of Ministers voted in favor of throwing out the European Parliament's efforts to keep software patents out of Europe. According to an FFII press release, the Dutch Parliament yesterday voted to change its Minister's vote, which was in favor, to an abstension. This is an unprecidented move and a great coup for those fighting against software patents, never before has a country reversed a vote in this manner. While this is not sufficient to reverse the decision of the Council of Ministers, it does pave the way for other countries, many of which were pressured into an affirmative vote, to do the same. Now is the time for citizens of the EU to put pressure on their national governments to follow the Dutch lead."
So they were for being against opposing patents. This is your brain on drugs.
Our intelligent designer has never created an animal that we couldn't improve by strapping a bomb to it.
Darn, I wanted to be the first one in Holland to patent the grouped task bar buttons.
The Dutch parliament moved against (well, abstained) the vote against the motion against software patents in europe?
Oh that was clear.
I've finally had it: until slashdot gets article moderation, I am not coming back.
Microsoft has purchased the Netherlands and has patented throwing out software patents.
Wow... the Dutch Parliament reversed a European Council of Ministers vote that had been in favor of throwing out the European Parliament's efforts to keep software patents out of Europe.
In other news, my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night.
E-mail could work if politicals had computers (and knew how to use it). Snail could work if it was not thrown in the trash bin (don't you ever hope that someone important will read your mails). Phone call? you must have a phone number for that.
It's really different from the USA, where you can write your congressman as easily as buying food.
The Netherlands never ceases to impress me with the decisions they make.
legalized weed and a sensible outlook on software patents, what more could a geek ask for?
ahh... thank you, so much clearer now
do we love or hate the dutch right now? im still lost
TIAEAE!
Finaally, some saanity haas been restored to the paatent debaate. Congraatulaations to our Dutch friends for their couraageous step forwaard.
Exit, pursued by a bear.
sounds like the check bounced to the Dutch Parliament
boycott slashdot February 10th - 17th check out: altSlashdot.org
Not sure... but at least we know why they call it double dutch.
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing; those who count the votes decide everything." (attrib. Joseph Stalin)
Ah, thank you. You put me in mind to go and look up this:
Bernard Woolley: "Now, may I just have your approval for this Local Government Allowances Amendment Number 2 for this year's regulations."
Jim Hacker: "What is it?"
Bernard Woolley: "It is a Statutory Instrument to be laid before the House. As Minister responsible for local government we need you to authorize that the revised Paragraph 5 of Number 2 Regulations 1971 shall come into operation on March the 18th next, revoking Regulation 7 of the Local Government Allowances Amendment Regulations 1954(b)."
Jim Hacker: "What the hell does all that mean?"
Bernard Woolley: "It is all right, there is an explanatory note, Minister. These Regulations are to make provisions for prescribing the amount of attendance and financial loss allowances payable to the members of local authorities. Explanatory note: Regulation 3 of the Local Government Allowances Amendment Regulation 1971 ("the 1971 regulations") substituted a new regulation for Regulation 3 of the 1954 Regulations. Regulation 3 of the Local Government Allowances Amendment Regulation 1972 ("the 1972 regulations") further made amends Regulation 3 of the 1954 Regulations by increasing the maximum rates of attendance and financial loss allowances. Regulation 7 of the 1972 Regulations revoked both regulation 3 and 5 of the 1971 Regulations, Regulation 5 being a regulation revoking earlier spent regulations with the effect from 1st April next. These regulations preserve Regulations 2 and 5 of the 1971 Regulations by revoking Regulation 7 of the 1972 Regulations.
Jim Hacker: "And that's an explanatory note???"
From Yes, Minister (of course).
After I've RTFA it's obvious, the original poster is probably a lawyer. The meaning is the complete oposite of his words.