[Fsfe-ie] Re: Making the case against software patents

[James Heald]

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).

If you can ask them public questions, perhaps a useful simple question 
is to ask naively:

"So, would this Directive allow parts of new versions of Microsoft 
Windows to be patented ?"

and if they say no,

"Could you check that, because I understand a number of patents have 
been applied for, and are being granted"