[Gllug] S/ware Patents killed

[Alain Williams]

See:

	http://www.rte.ie/business/2005/0706/patent.html

MEPs throw out software patent bill 

July 06, 2005 11:38

The European Parliament has voted to throw out a controversial EU bill to harmonise the patenting of software-related
inventions after MEPs said it pleased nobody in its present form.

The assembly voted by 648 to 14 with 18 abstentions to reject the law and stop a version of the legislation, already
approved by the EU's 25 member states, from becoming law.

The European Commission, which drafted the bill, said it respected the decision and that it would not put forward any new
proposed legislation in this area.

The bill has polarised the technology industry, with large firms like Microsoft, Nokia and Siemens saying changes sought
by the European Parliament would leave products open to copycat versions from China and elsewhere.

Supporters of open-source or free software had welcomed the changes sought by some MEPs to limit what types of inventions
can be patented.

-- 
Alain Williams
Parliament Hill Computers Ltd.
Linux Consultant - Mail systems, Web sites, Networking, Programmer, IT Lecturer.
+44 (0) 787 668 0256

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