Software patents suck. Now it's proven again. It only gives power to the rich.
If I had created a small piece of software just to do something like a visual createroute about some years ago - not unimaginable as a usenet google-search on 'visual traceroute' showed messages dating back to 1991! - I might just run into trouble. When McAfee orders me to stop spreading my software, then I just have to obey. I don't have the funding to battle this patent, although I'd probably win the case.
What's the invention anyhow regarding a visual traceroute. It's the result of very trivial thinking - just read back the messages on usenet. It just shows how insane software patents really are - again.
Yes, it's a US thing. Over a year ago, the US asked Europe to inform them thoroughly about EVERYONE going to the US by plane. The information should include the addresses the people go to, all personal data and even one's creditcard number. It's insane.
The European Parliament agrees it's insane. But, amongst others, the Dutch member Bolkestein was in favour of the US demands and managed to convice the European Parliament to agree with the US demands. Some political parties strongly object against this (like the Dutch political party D66 (liberal democrats), who are part of the European Liberal party, of which Bolkestein (from the Dutch political party VVD) is also a member)
So far everyone's privacy when travelling to the US. I highly object against this breach of my privacy. I won't go to the US or any other country having similar requirements as long as they require me to give up my privacy. Unfortunately I don't think this situation will be ended soon. Economical reasons are far stronger than privacy reasons (I do have doubt if those reasons are really regarding safety - if so, can someone wake up those politicians involved, please?)
I'm ashamed of being Dutch and I even feel ashamed for the party I voted on: the minister responsible for the voting in the European parliament is from this party (D66), although the party ITSELF is AGAINST the software patent ruling. All in all, this seems a very dirty way of doing politics.
It's enough to drive me out of IT business (I'm running my own company which probably will stop as soon as the software patents are effectuated here in Europe).
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Software patents suck. Now it's proven again. It only gives power to the rich. If I had created a small piece of software just to do something like a visual createroute about some years ago - not unimaginable as a usenet google-search on 'visual traceroute' showed messages dating back to 1991! - I might just run into trouble. When McAfee orders me to stop spreading my software, then I just have to obey. I don't have the funding to battle this patent, although I'd probably win the case. What's the invention anyhow regarding a visual traceroute. It's the result of very trivial thinking - just read back the messages on usenet. It just shows how insane software patents really are - again.
Yes, it's a US thing. Over a year ago, the US asked Europe to inform them thoroughly about EVERYONE going to the US by plane. The information should include the addresses the people go to, all personal data and even one's creditcard number. It's insane. The European Parliament agrees it's insane. But, amongst others, the Dutch member Bolkestein was in favour of the US demands and managed to convice the European Parliament to agree with the US demands. Some political parties strongly object against this (like the Dutch political party D66 (liberal democrats), who are part of the European Liberal party, of which Bolkestein (from the Dutch political party VVD) is also a member) So far everyone's privacy when travelling to the US. I highly object against this breach of my privacy. I won't go to the US or any other country having similar requirements as long as they require me to give up my privacy. Unfortunately I don't think this situation will be ended soon. Economical reasons are far stronger than privacy reasons (I do have doubt if those reasons are really regarding safety - if so, can someone wake up those politicians involved, please?)
I'm ashamed of being Dutch and I even feel ashamed for the party I voted on: the minister responsible for the voting in the European parliament is from this party (D66), although the party ITSELF is AGAINST the software patent ruling. All in all, this seems a very dirty way of doing politics. It's enough to drive me out of IT business (I'm running my own company which probably will stop as soon as the software patents are effectuated here in Europe).