Re: Why are software patents wrong?

[threeseas]

Rui Miguel Seabra wrote:
> On Tue, 2004-10-19 at 00:46 +0200, Alexander Terekhov wrote:
>
> > "Paul Hovnanian P.E." wrote:
> > [...]
> >
> > > Unlike hardware, there are numerous ways to implement the same function
> > > (task) in software. Given a task description ...
> >
> > You can't patent a task. You can patent a novel, useful, and non-
> > obvious method to achieve it. In the EU, invention must have a 
> > technical effect (positively affect the ability of a "device" as 
> > a whole to carry out a technical function) to be patentable under 
> > the current EPO {case}law (and the upcoming EU patent directive).
>
>
> Readers beware:
>   1) Current EPO {case}law is in favour of software patents.
>   2) European Parliament proposal forbids pure software patents
>   3) European Comission/European Council's proposals introduce
>      software patents without any limits in Europe.
>
> Rui


Wasn't there also some sort of intent to deceptively bias some of the EU 
member votes to support software patents? And since then, some exposure 
of this intent, there has been some change in the standings?