I just heard on BBC radio that the next EC has been announced. Viviane REDING (Information Society, LU) and Charlie McCREEVY (Internal Market, IE) are likely to have the most effect on is, based on the current commission. I welcome interesting information about the others and their approach to free software. http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1030&f...
Peter Mandelson (Trade, UK) is a close associate of the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The UK Patent Office is a trading fund attached to the UK Government Department for Trade and Industry. I don't think this will be seen as a good appointment for free software companies, but I could be wrong.