Slashdot Mirror
EU Closer To Rejecting Software Patents
niekko writes "BusinessWeek is reporting on the hot subject of European software patent directive. 'The European Parliament moved Tuesday toward rejecting a proposed law creating a single way of patenting software across the European Union, officials said -- a move that would effectively kill the legislation since lawmakers do not plan to set forth a new version.'"
Honestly, liberal ideals need not breed thoughtlessness. The lack of patents would both prevent big companies from funding as much reasearch as they do, and make it such that almost all innovation that did arise would be solely in their domain. The number of medical advances that would never have occured in the past 20 years without patent protections is tremendous. GM food (however hated it may be by some people) has saved millions of lives in India, and without patent protections the sort of research which is further advancing the capabilities of GM food would not occur.
Many new advances (particularly these "SUPER COMPLEX" sorts believe deserve protection) typically require a great deal of capital to implement effectively. So, you romantic independant inventor will simply be forced to sell out to an evil corporation who will then commit all the sins you are speaking of.
Your solution does not solve the problems, and impedes scientific advancement. Do not think that simply because some patents are abused and issued for silly things means that the idea of the patent for corporate developed technologies, even somewhat simple ones, so long as they are novel, is incorrect.
Why do you hate the American way?
I'm in a mood to take the flamebait :-)
Let's begin.
Americans live in the richest country on the planet but you have no medical insurance or social security for the less fortunate, you chose not to educate 80 percent of your citizens so they can serve the remaining 20 percent who just keep getting richer and more environmentally destructive.
You ignore the rest of the planet and idea of national security is based on threats, violence, oppression and insanely stupid propaganda that does not work in a Europe with educated people.
But i like Scrubs, Simpsons and CSI