[Wylug-discuss] FW: [Probably Spam] RE: Software Patents

[Roger Greenwood]

Following Phil's message earlier, you may be interested in the EU reply.

Best Regards,
Roger Greenwood
Rolla Ltd

T. +44 1484 710226
F. +44 1484 718608

-----Original Message-----
From: Grazyna.PIESIEWICZ at cec.eu.int [mailto:Grazyna.PIESIEWICZ at cec.eu.int] 
Sent: 20 March 2006 16:24
To: rogerg at rolla.co.uk
Subject: [Probably Spam] RE: Software Patents



Dear Mr Greenwood,

Thank you for your email and interest in the consultation.

Please allow me to reassure you that the aim of this consultation is NOT to
re-open the debate on software patenting in Europe, that debate having been
closed by the vote of the European Parliament whereby it rejected the
proposal for a directive on computer-implemented inventions.  

Our policy is aimed at providing the market with a patent system that will
constitute an accessible, affordable (in granting and post-grant use) and
efficient protection of a company's asset, regardless of its size. Our main
preoccupation is to ensure quality of granted patents so that innovation is
not thwarted. The consultation which prompted your submission is focused on
the structural issues relating to the patent system in Europe with a
potential subsequent consultation on substantive issues (such as what is and
is not patentable) if the need for it is voiced by stakeholders in their
submissions.  

In that respect, we will take your submission into account in the drafting
of our report. The report will be published (along with the responses)
during summer 2006 on our website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/indprop/patent/consultation_en.htm
. 

Yours sincerely,


Grazyna Piesiewicz

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Internal Market and Services DG
Knowledge-based Economy
Industrial property
B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel - Belgium

Tel. (32-2) 298 01 24
Fax (32-2) 299 31 04
mailto:grazyna.piesiewicz at cec.eu.int
http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/




-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Greenwood [mailto:rogerg at rolla.co.uk] 
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 4:34 PM
To: MARKT D2-PATENTSTRATEGY
Subject: [Probably Spam] Software Patents

Hello,

I have become aware through the general media that you are attempting to
introduce patents on computer software, instead of a simple (and automatic)
copyright.

As a small manufacturer in the UK (40 employees), we have held UK, European
and worldwide patents on some of our products for many years, and have
concluded that they are a waste of money and cost far too much to implement.
We, as a small company, could not hope to defend our rights in court as it
would also cost too much. These systems are designed to help very large
businesses to squash us small fry. This would also be the case with software
and thus stifle innovation.

I have also written software in the past, but would not consider applying
for a software patent even if the system existed - I feel far more confident
defending my position using the traditional methods, and keeping the source
code a secret, or releasing it for free as I choose. If I patent it the
software becomes released and I loose control.

Patents should only be applied to tangible objects that can be weighed and
measured, that is what they do best. Lets keep it that way. Having said
that, if you can simplify the existing system of tangible patents please do
it.

Best Regards,
Roger Greenwood

Technical Director

Rolla Ltd
Atlas Mill Road
Brighouse
HD6 1ET UK

www.rolla.co.uk

T. +44 1484 710226
F. +44 1484 718608