[Fsfe-ie] Economist article

Malcolm Tyrrell malcohol at eircom.net
Fri Nov 12 16:28:34 CET 2004


On Thu, 2004-11-11 at 21:18 +0000, Teresa Hackett wrote:
> Useful piece in the Economist on patents, mentions European software
> patents.
> http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3376181

While this criticism is good, the argument the Economist is following is
not quite the one we're pushing for. The main thrust of their article seems
to be a call for better discipline. Unfortunately, this might persuade the
EU that all they need do is add an amendment to a pro-s/w-patent directive
saying "Oh! And Patent Offices had jolly well only grant really worthwhile
patents, okay everybody?". If s/w patents are possible, it is inevitable
that bad patents will be granted. Once granted, only the wealthy will be
realistically able to challenge them.

Good luck,

Malcohol.

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