[Sussex] A letter to our MEPs and MPs

[Mark Harrison]

Steve,

Great work - please add my name to the petition:


Mark Harrison, Maidenbower, Mark at ascentium.co.uk



I will also be writing a similar letter to my MP for all the reasons
outlined in "letter vs. petition" and urge everyone to do the same....

M.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Dobson" <steve at dobson.org>
To: "LUG email list for the Sussex Counties" <sussex at mailman.lug.org.uk>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Sussex] A letter to our MEPs and MPs


> Geoff (at al)
>
> On Mon, Oct 11, 2004 at 09:32:12AM +0100, Geoff Teale wrote:
> > Sorry been away from my mail, should have posted this sooner in the
> > conversation.
>
> You're forgiven :-)
>
> > I think this is a grand idea to help fight software patents but a word
> > of warning.  It's fine to use US cases as an example of what can go
> > wrong, but don't use it as the be-all and end-all of your argument, it
> > just won't cut in in the UK or the EU.  Before getting involved in such
> > a discussion it is important to be well researched and understand the
> > issue as it faces us in the UK.
>
> I am attempting to show how US Software Patent laws could effect UK &
> Europe now.  It seams that I am failing.  To that end I have changed
> the end of paragraph 4 to read:
>      If Sun Microsystems and Kodak had not settled out of court then
>      it is conceivable that Sun Microsystems could have stop developing
>      Java, as a result the Java community would have collapsed and
>      thousands of Java programming jobs lost here in the UK and across
>      Europe.
>
> I've also added a reference to the current holders of EU Software Patents
> showing how far EU companies are behind the US & Japan.  This is a strong
> numerical backup to Mark's argument. (Paragraph 15)
>
> > Time to peddle the "party line".
> >
> > I would strongly urge this group to join the larger, better researched
> > and better funded effort to campaign against Software Patents within the
> > EU (which is, after all where these decisions are being driven).  The
> > Free Software Foundation's European branch is dealing with software
> > patents as a priority  - see this open letter:
> >
> > http://www.fsfeurope.org/projects/swpat/letter-20040510.en.html
> >
> > Note that writing to your MP is an action item in this letter.  So for
> > now, lets send this letter, with the example given, but lets reference
> > the material and efforts of the Free Software Foundation.  That is lets
> > frame our message with the weight of an organisation with a strong
> > understanding of EU law and a well thought out case that already has the
> > ear of the important players.
>
> As SLUG has no funds then writing to our M(E)Ps is the best way we can
> help.  I am all for our letter being copied to the FSFeurope so they can
> add us to their list of people objecting to Software Patents.
>
> > I would urge you all to:
> >
> >  - Bring the work of the FSF in Europe to the attention of your MP.
>
> If you would like to point me to some good examples I will happily add
> them.
>
> >  - Donate anything you can afford to the FSF in Europe.
> >  - Best of all, join the FSF and help out.
>
> Steve D
>
> The letter is available at:
> http://www.sussex.lug.org.uk/software-patents-letter.pdf
>
>
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