Making the case against software patents (Was: Re: [Fsfe-ie] Ivana Bacik

Niall Douglas s_fsfeurope2 at nedprod.com
Mon May 24 02:32:46 CEST 2004


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On 23 May 2004 at 11:26, Ian Clarke wrote:

> In other words, how are we to warn people not to take the statements
> of the pro-patent lobby at face-value without simply denouncing them
> as outright liars (which would allow our opponents to accuse us of
> making an ad hominem argument and inappropriately "aggressive"
> lobbying tactics).

Simple.

If pro-patent supporters really don't want software to be patentable, 
why are they opposing the clarifying amendments such as the EP came 
up with?

I'd like to see them explain that one. If they try, quote the 
specific amendment which means "computer software shall not be 
patentable full stop period forever" and ask them precisely what is 
wrong with that amendment.

They won't be able to answer, because that specific amendment has no 
unintended consequences, no accidental side effects - it simply makes 
software unpatentable. Yet the pro-patent lobby doesn't want it.

(You'll have to look up the specific amendment I'm on about, I know 
it's there from memory).

Quoting that amendment will defeat any pro-patent foe within seconds -
 therefore it's useful for radio interviews and quoting to 
newspapers.

Cheers,
Niall





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