[Lancaster] software patents in europe

[andy baxter]

Hi all,

Thought you might be interested in this site which is about the 
continuing issue of software patenting in Europe. The history is that a 
few years ago a bill went to the EU parliament which would have allowed 
patents (not copyright which most people accept) on computer software. 
This would allow people to claim ownership not just of the code they 
have written but of the (often very simple) ideas and concepts behind 
it. The bill was rejected but in a way which leaves the legal situation 
unclear, and companies in collusion with the patent office are still 
abusing the law by claiming patent rights on things like:
- the general concept having having a web shop.
- a 'show larger image' link on pictures.
- a box to let someone enter a rebate code.
- web-to-print services.

see here:
http://webshop.ffii.org/

there is a petition here:
http://petition.stopsoftwarepatents.eu/

If the companies behind the move for renewed software patenting get 
their way, we will end up with a situation where anyone writing web 
applications (for example) has to pay license fees for every tiny idea 
in the site, or risk having it shut down. This will push the web design 
business more into the hands of large corporations who have the 
resources to deal with such legal absurdities.

If you want to, you can write to your MEP through this site:
http://www.writetothem.com/

andy