A while back I sent an email to my MEP Richard Corbett. He replied saying he was against the idea of Software Patents.
Just after lunchtime today I received an email from him which follows:
Dear Mr Ross,
You wrote to me recently on the subject of software patents and the proposed Directive on patentability of computer-implemented inventions.
I thought you would like to know that the European Parliament voted today, shortly after 11am UK time, to reject the proposed Directive outright. Labour MEPs voted with their Socialist colleagues from across Europe in support of this motion, resulting in a huge majority of MEPs
(648 to 14) voting to reject.
Parliament's decision to throw out the proposed Directive is final and the proposal cannot be resurrected. A change to the law is now no longer on the horizon.
If you would like more information, please do contact my office. I will be issuing a press release and updating my website shortly to take into account these developments. In the meantime, I would like to thank the hundreds of constituents who contacted my colleagues and me on this issue. Relying on your informed and clearly expressed opinions, Labour MEPs were able to vote accordingly and help to reject this ill-judged legislative proposal.
With best wishes,
Richard Corbett MEP
----
Its nice to know there are MP's out there who listen. I have sent an email in thanks - he deserves it:-)
Slashdot Mirror
A while back I sent an email to my MEP Richard Corbett. He replied saying he was against the idea of Software Patents. Just after lunchtime today I received an email from him which follows: Dear Mr Ross, You wrote to me recently on the subject of software patents and the proposed Directive on patentability of computer-implemented inventions. I thought you would like to know that the European Parliament voted today, shortly after 11am UK time, to reject the proposed Directive outright. Labour MEPs voted with their Socialist colleagues from across Europe in support of this motion, resulting in a huge majority of MEPs (648 to 14) voting to reject. Parliament's decision to throw out the proposed Directive is final and the proposal cannot be resurrected. A change to the law is now no longer on the horizon. If you would like more information, please do contact my office. I will be issuing a press release and updating my website shortly to take into account these developments. In the meantime, I would like to thank the hundreds of constituents who contacted my colleagues and me on this issue. Relying on your informed and clearly expressed opinions, Labour MEPs were able to vote accordingly and help to reject this ill-judged legislative proposal. With best wishes, Richard Corbett MEP ---- Its nice to know there are MP's out there who listen. I have sent an email in thanks - he deserves it :-)
Just want to throw one word into the air - Lindows.
Now correct me if I am wrong, but this is an example of taking Wine even further and winning against microsoft.