Slashdot Mirror


EU Patents Won't Stay Dead

sconeu writes "Apparently the EC is ignoring the restart directive, and has placed software patents as an A-Item on the Council of Minister's agenda with an aim for approval on Monday." From the article: "The directive is pitched as offering greater protection for software developers. Opponents, including many in the European parliament, fear it will simply provide big players, including America's powerful and litigious software giants, with a very large stick to batter upstart developers and the Open Source movement." Update: 03/04 22:04 GMT by Z : And just as quick as you please Denmark stops things in their tracks. Denmark's objection means that there will have to be further debate before the patents get the stamp.

3 of 410 comments (clear)

  1. Bring on the civil war! by PornMaster · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'm wondering how long until there's a civil war in the EU from people who get sick of their new federalism.

  2. Re:Well by metlin · · Score: 0, Troll

    Yes because I believe the subject matter to be excluded from patent protection.

    I didn't quite catch that.

    Wouldn't state granted monopolies would be more inkeeping with socialist thinking?

    The "good for all at the cost of the individual's contribution" comes just as close.

    I thought they were to provide a time limited monopoly and opportunity for reward to an inventor?

    Which would most certainly encourage his/her to pursue and profit from the work, and which cannot happen unless they're allowed to protect others from ripping it off in the first place.

    The playing field is far from level however!

    That's a matter of opinion.

    That's a patent on a mechanical device!

    > I can patent a musical method, too, if I can
    > prove it has a utility value and it is unique.

    Good luck with that.


    It constitutes a musical method. A musical method patent requires a utility value and that is usually provided for by an application.

  3. Re:US influence peddling goes world-wide by Beyond_GoodandEvil · · Score: 0, Troll

    Was this before or after they asked the US Govt. to increase foreign aid?

    --
    I laughed at the weak who considered themselves good because they lacked claws.