EU Parliament bins software patent bill
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"The European Parliament has voted by a massive majority to reject the software patents directive, formally known as the Directive on the Patentability of Computer Implemented Inventions. The vote to scrap the bill was passed by a margin of 648 votes to 14, with 18 abstentions. The Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) says the rejection is a logical response to the Commission and Council's refusal to take parliament's will into consideration" EU Parliament bins software patent bill[^] Looks like we can breathe for a little while on this side of the Atlantic. :) Anna :rose: Riverblade Ltd - Software Consultancy Services Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "Be yourself - not what others think you should be" - Marcia Graesch "Anna's just a sexy-looking lesbian tart" - A friend, trying to wind me up. It didn't work.
This is one time the US should "follow" instead of always wanting to "lead"... Steve
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I can't understand why so many here think this is a good thing entirely. Sure there are lot's of examples of ridiculous patents for software out there, but on the flip side what about a company that does some kind of research that costs millions to come up with a truly clever idea that is years ahead of anyone else? Oh, wait, I see that no one will bother now so chalk one up for the Luddites! Isn't the problem really the awarding of patent's for things that are commonly used? Not the concept of a patent itself for hardworking researchers?
"A preoccupation with the next world pretty clearly signals an inability to cope credibly with this one."
I believe patent laws as they exist in their current form do hurt innovation, especially software patents. However I do agree that organizations that pour money into R&D should be rewarded for their efforts. Perhaps a compromise could be a shorter patent periods, i.e 2-3 years of protection and better tax breaks and funding for R&D expensises.
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I can't understand why so many here think this is a good thing entirely. Sure there are lot's of examples of ridiculous patents for software out there, but on the flip side what about a company that does some kind of research that costs millions to come up with a truly clever idea that is years ahead of anyone else? Oh, wait, I see that no one will bother now so chalk one up for the Luddites! Isn't the problem really the awarding of patent's for things that are commonly used? Not the concept of a patent itself for hardworking researchers?
"A preoccupation with the next world pretty clearly signals an inability to cope credibly with this one."
Granted, I am on the US side of the pond, but I used to work for such a company. Believe me, companies that invest significant amounts of money in research will keep that research closely guarded... they may not use patents at all to do this (I believe you have to make your information public to patent it anyway.) The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance.
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I love to see the EU Commission getting its ass handed to them :-D Of course, it isn't over. The patent supporters will come back and attempt more sneaky measures to get the law changed to their advantage - but the first round goes to the good guys. Michael CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
Michael P Butler wrote: I love to see the EU Commission getting its ass handed to them :-D As a POM, could you please use ARSE. Ass is just wrong, and even wronger from a proper English speaker and not a Yankee word butcherer. Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So i had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004
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Michael P Butler wrote: I love to see the EU Commission getting its ass handed to them :-D As a POM, could you please use ARSE. Ass is just wrong, and even wronger from a proper English speaker and not a Yankee word butcherer. Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So i had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004
Michael Martin wrote: As a POM, could you please use ARSE. Ass is just wrong, and even wronger from a proper English speaker and not a Yankee word butcherer. Sorry. I've watched too many American TV shows and picked up a lot of bad habits. My friends are always kicking my arse over this too. :-D Please keep pointing these things out, otherwise I'll never learn. ;-) Michael CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
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This is one time the US should "follow" instead of always wanting to "lead"... Steve
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Michael P Butler wrote: I love to see the EU Commission getting its ass handed to them :-D As a POM, could you please use ARSE. Ass is just wrong, and even wronger from a proper English speaker and not a Yankee word butcherer. Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So i had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004
LOL seconded! :laugh: Anna :rose: Riverblade Ltd - Software Consultancy Services Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "Be yourself - not what others think you should be" - Marcia Graesch "Anna's just a sexy-looking lesbian tart" - A friend, trying to wind me up. It didn't work.
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"The European Parliament has voted by a massive majority to reject the software patents directive, formally known as the Directive on the Patentability of Computer Implemented Inventions. The vote to scrap the bill was passed by a margin of 648 votes to 14, with 18 abstentions. The Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) says the rejection is a logical response to the Commission and Council's refusal to take parliament's will into consideration" EU Parliament bins software patent bill[^] Looks like we can breathe for a little while on this side of the Atlantic. :) Anna :rose: Riverblade Ltd - Software Consultancy Services Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "Be yourself - not what others think you should be" - Marcia Graesch "Anna's just a sexy-looking lesbian tart" - A friend, trying to wind me up. It didn't work.
I cannot stop wondering if it really is such a good thing? I'm not saying software pattents are good, or even not bad, I'm just thinking if an idiotic decision in EU would not have led to the idea being dropped everywhere. A bit like those people that don't go to a mechanic until the car breaks down completely, no matter how lound the noise. OGR
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Michael P Butler wrote: I love to see the EU Commission getting its ass handed to them :-D As a POM, could you please use ARSE. Ass is just wrong, and even wronger from a proper English speaker and not a Yankee word butcherer. Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So i had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004
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jcrussell wrote: wronger? I did say proper English speaker didn't I? Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So i had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004