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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Software Patents</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>=============</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have emailed all 6 midlands MEPs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I got replies from only 2:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bill Newton Dunn and Christopher
Heaton-Haris.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Both appear to have made their minds up that these
are a good thing!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I took a line "what is your policy
on..."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When I saw they were in favour of patents, I asked
for more information / explanation. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I got no reply at all from Christopher
Heaton-Harris to this email. (Clearly he know nothing!)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But I did get a series of replies from Bill Netwon
Dunn, which seem to prove beyond all doubt</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1) he doesn't understand the issue</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2) he has made his mind up and is not to be
convinced by the pleas of mere constituents of confused by facts!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I fear that this legislation is going through no
matter what we do. Nevertheless, we (i.e. ALL of us) need to at least TRY to
prevent it in any way we can!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I attach both emails below....delimited by hashes
(#s)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Sorry, but by the nature of emails you need to start at the bottom &
read up!</DIV>
<DIV></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>##########################################################################################</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>Sorry, but no abstention.</DIV>
<DIV>I am for freedom of choice - those who wish to patent may do so, those who
do not need not do so. If you wish to ban patents for more of software
than I without providing the choice to everybody, then as the practioner
you need to persuade me why you want to limit freedom. </DIV>
<DIV>Bill Newton Dunn</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV><FONT size=2>-----Original Message----- <BR><B>From:</B> Malcolm Read
[mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Sun 6/26/2005 10:53 PM
<BR><B>To:</B> NEWTON DUNN William <BR><B>Cc:</B> <BR><B>Subject:</B> Re:
Software Patents Legislation<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bill,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>I haven't done any lobbying yet.
</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>All I have done is asked you to give some
examples in order that <FONT face="Times New Roman">I can understand the
difference between "pure software" & "software which has practical
applications".</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>More importantly, given that you are the one voting, I want
to be sure that YOU understand the difference.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>So, given you have "followed all the arguments" it should
only take you a couple of minutes to write down some examples or even give me
the URL of a web site that explains the difference.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>If you can't, then I urge you to abstain on the
grounds that you clearly don't understand what you are voting on.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Regards, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Dr Malcolm G Read</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial"><B>From:</B> <A
title=wnewton@europarl.eu.int href="mailto:wnewton@europarl.eu.int">NEWTON
DUNN William</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=malcolm_read@ntlworld.com
href="mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com">Malcolm G. Read</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:30
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Software Patents
Legislation</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I have listeneed to endless lobying form all sides, including yourself.
having doen so, I have made up my mind and will be following the Liberal
whip which represents, in my opinion, the right solution. You can follow all
the arguments (which are not only mine but those, I believe, of the
majority of the parliament) in the debate and texts.</DIV>
<DIV>Bill Newton Dunn</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV><FONT size=2>-----Original Message----- <BR><B>From:</B> Malcolm G.
Read [mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Sun 6/26/2005
12:19 AM <BR><B>To:</B> NEWTON DUNN William <BR><B>Cc:</B>
<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Software Patents Legislation<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<P><FONT size=2>Bill,<BR><BR>So you can't actually give me any examples
then.<BR>This is rather disappointing & gives me the worry that you
don't<BR>actually understand what you are voting on.<BR>Please prove me
wrong!<BR><BR>Dr. Malcolm G. Read<BR>PS Thanks for at least taking the
time to reply; some MEPs don't even<BR>bother.<BR><BR>NEWTON DUNN William
wrote:<BR><BR>> If you wish to see the choice of different
definitions now on the<BR>> table, you should examine the various
amendments, now tabled, to the<BR>> Council's First Reading, and see
what the choice now is for the<BR>> parliament's Second Reading for
debate and vote in about ten days<BR>> time. None are tabled by me.
This is not my specialist field. If you<BR>> want to lobby, you should
be talking to the committee's rapporteur and<BR>> the shadow
rapporteurs of the other political groups. They are the<BR>> MEPs who
are shaping the dialogue and tabling the amendments, and<BR>> leadign
the debate and the voting.<BR>> Bill Newton
Dunn<BR>><BR>> -----Original
Message-----<BR>> *From:* Malcolm Read [<A
href="mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com">mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com</A>]<BR>>
*Sent:* Sat 6/25/2005 7:20 PM<BR>> *To:* NEWTON
DUNN William<BR>>
*Cc:*<BR>> *Subject:* Re: Software Patents
Legislation<BR>><BR>>
Bill<BR>> <BR>>
Thanks for your
reply.<BR>> <BR>>
Could you just explain the difference between "pure software"
&<BR>> "software which has practical
applications".<BR>> In particular could you
give a few examples of each, so we both<BR>>
know what you are talking
about.<BR>> <BR>>
Regards,<BR>> Dr. Malcolm G.
Read<BR>><BR>> -----
Original Message
-----<BR>> *From:*
NEWTON DUNN William <<A
href="mailto:wnewton@europarl.eu.int">mailto:wnewton@europarl.eu.int</A>><BR>>
*To:* Malcolm Read <<A
href="mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com">mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com</A>><BR>>
*Sent:* Friday, June 24, 2005 8:24
PM<BR>> *Subject:* RE:
Software Patents
Legislation<BR>><BR>>
I shall follow my Liberal Group whip. It has not yet
been<BR>> shown to me.
I hope it will not support granting patents
to<BR>> pure software
but will support granting patents to
software<BR>> which has
practical applications. That is how I would wish
to<BR>>
vote.<BR>> Best
wishes<BR>> Bill Newton
Dunn<BR>><BR>>
-----Original
Message-----<BR>>
*From:* Malcolm Read [<A
href="mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com">mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com</A>]<BR>>
*Sent:* Fri 6/24/2005 7:23
PM<BR>>
*To:* NEWTON DUNN
William<BR>>
*Cc:*<BR>>
*Subject:* Software Patents
Legislation<BR>><BR>>
Bill,<BR>> <BR>>
The vote in the Second Reading on the software
patent<BR>>
directive is in 11-13 work days, on 5-7
July.<BR>>
Can I therefore ask what your opinion is on this
matter,<BR>>
i.e. how you are going to vote &
why.<BR>> <BR>>
Thanks,<BR>>
Dr. Malcolm G. Read<BR></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>##########################################################################################</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Chris,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you very much for your prompt
reply.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the interests of clarity, it would be very
helpful if you explained the difference between "pure software" and "other
categories of inventions where software produces a genuine technical
effect".</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Can you give me at least a couple of examples of
each.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks again,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dr. Malcolm G. Read</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=cheaton@europarl.eu.int
href="mailto:cheaton@europarl.eu.int">HEATON-HARRIS Christopher</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=malcolm_read@ntlworld.com
href="mailto:malcolm_read@ntlworld.com">malcolm_read@ntlworld.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, June 24, 2005 5:04 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Software Patents
legislation</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=437470116-24062005><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear
Malcolm,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=437470116-24062005><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=437470116-24062005><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=1>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thank you for your letter on
software patentability.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
appreciate your taking the time to contact me about this important issue.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As a Conservative M.E.P., I support
the Directive on Computer Implemented Inventions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The proposal is designed to
facilitate competition, clarify and harmonise existing regulations, and to
enable patent inspectors to work within an unambiguous legal framework.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In no way does the proposal extend
existing European Patent Law into new areas. The Directive clarifies existing
EU Patent Law and provides patent inspectors with a common framework within
which to examine and if appropriate, grant patents for genuine innovations
involving digital technology. An explicit objective of the proposal is to
ensure that computer software or business methods that do not involve new
innovative concepts, making a technical contribution, are excluded from
patents. This will give the EU a distinctive and different position from the
<st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><st1:place
w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Europe</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> already has a centralised system
for patent applications, yet there still exists some intra-E.U. variation with
regards to the handling of applications.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This is why a harmonised system which gives patent inspectors an
unambiguous legal framework to work within is necessary.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Such a framework would provide secure
legal grounds for refusing a patent for an invention involving pure software
and algorithms which, can be sustained if later challenged in court.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Directive should not affect the
development of open source software. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The patentability rules must be
broad enough to ensure that pure software and business methods are effectively
excluded. At the same time, they must not be so all embracing that they damage
the legitimate protection afforded to other categories of inventions where
software produces a genuine technical effect. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It is important to consider the
impact of the Directive for the EU to remain competitive in global markets. If
<st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>'s capacity to protect innovation in
the field of technology is reduced, compared to other regions of the world, we
may in the long run no longer be able to sustain our standard of living by
innovation</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Ultimately, I would like to see a
Directive which will safeguard the European economy against patents on pure
software and business methods.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At
the same time, I will do all that is within my capability to preserve a
balanced patent regime which will protect innovators and encourage innovation.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Please do not hesitate to contact
me should I be of any further assistance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Yours
sincerely,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Chris Heaton-Harris MEP</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">#################################################################################</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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