On Sun, 2005-07-17 at 17:39 +0100, Alan Horkan wrote: > I am saying software patents already exist and fear of them is already > causing developers to hold back in certain areas. We are aware there is a > problem. What plans can be made to mitigate against this problem? They don't exist in most places, and they might very well be a TRIPS violation. The best course of action is to actively oppose software patents, instead of passively. Don't just claim support for the cause, but do help out. A major round was just gained in Europe, but the fight is far from over. Rumor is some are trying to get them discretely and under the hood with the Community Patent directive proposal. Other attempts may come by international treaties. I personally questioned Mark MacGann, Irish, from EICTA here in Portugal, and even let him fell caught red handed for a few seconds while he had just implicitly admitted they want software patents by saying SAP is an important member who shares their view [funny you say that, since they only deal with software]. Cheers, -- + No matter how much you do, you never do enough -- unknown + Whatever you do will be insignificant, | but it is very important that you do it -- Gandhi + So let's do it...? Please AVOID sending me WORD, EXCEL or POWERPOINT attachments. See http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
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