[ale] EU Software Patent Vote

[aaron]

On Tuesday 19 July 2005 19:53, Michael Hirsch wrote:
[sippage]

> My understanding is the same as Ken's.  Enough amendments went in to
> make the law unpalatable to both sides of the issue.  For instance, in
> the usually very clear and precise coverage in LinuxWeeklyNews
> (subscription required until Thursday, I think)
> http://lwn.net/Articles/142903/

> "This vote is not a result of a sudden general understanding that
> software patents are a bad idea. In the end, most parties went against
> the directive because (1) it had been amended to the point that nobody
> liked it anymore, and (2) the parliament was not pleased with how it
> had been treated by the European Council. So the vote should not be
> seen as a definitive statement from Europe on software patents; it
> also should not be seen as the end of the debate."
> 
> Michael

While most all would agree that the debate over software patents and their 
threats to free speech are not over, this doesn't diminish the fact that this 
EU response to the Micro$oft monopolist patent agenda is extremely 
significant and encouraging.

The final vote still speaks directly to the EU Parliament's sentiment on the 
software patent issues. Whether voted in its original language or with the 
adjustments adopted in debate and democratic process, the fact is that the 
software patent directive never gained enough support to avoid substantial 
amendment and was thus defeated overwhelmingly.

peace
aaron