Re: [Fsfe-uk] Software patent MEP response

[ian]

On Sun, 2003-05-18 at 21:11, Karl Naylor wrote:
> > On the issue of European software patents, I recently wrote to all
> > the West Midlands MEPs, and I have had one interesting response
> 
> Interesting.  I notice the response doesn't really seem to address the
> specific points you made, particularly regarding the behaviour of
> large corporations abusing patent law to eliminate competition.

If they do this in the UK we can use the 1998 competition Act and the
Office of Fair Trading to fight the case for us so there is no legal
costs except to the large corporate. The 1998 Act specifically addresses
IPR abuses with regard to fair trading. The legislative complexity is
bound to throw up areas where the law is in conflict. If nothing else
such actions will generate a lot of publicity. While I would rather not
see software patents, given that they are very likely to happen, its
best to be prepared to get even rather than get angry.

> Rather, he seems to have trotted out a rather generic argument on the
> subject.  I found that this also happened when I wrote to my own MP on
> a different issue (ID cards).  I wonder if this is generally the case
> when writing to MPs... I'll try my own MEPs and see what comes up.
> 
> I agree that we need clarification of the term `technical effect'.
> Will you be writing again to find out?
> 
> Karl.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Fsfe-uk mailing list
> address@hidden
> http://mail.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsfe-uk
-- 
ian <address@hidden>