Brussels 7-8 May 2003: Software Patents: from legal wordings to economic reality

[Henk Elegeert]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

http://petition.eurolinux.org/index_html?LANG=en

"
This petition is directed to the European Parliament. Its goal is to
warn European Authorities against the dangers of software patents. This
petition is supported by the EuroLinux Alliance together with European
companies and non-profit associations. Please make this petition well
known to everybody concerned.

I am concerned by current plans
(http://petition.eurolinux.org/reference/agenda.html) to legalise
software patents in Europe, considering their damaging effect
(http://petition.eurolinux.org/reference/economy.html) on innovation and
competition.

I am concerned by the possible use of software patents
(http://petition.eurolinux.org/reference/examples.html) to patent
business methods, education methods, health methods, etc.

I am concerned by the current track record of abuses
(http://petition.eurolinux.org/reference/pto.html) from the European
Patent Office, especially by theirtendency to abuse their judicial power
to extend the scope of patentability.

I am surprised that no economic report has ever been published by
European Authorities to study the impact
of software patents on innovation and competition.

I urge decisionmakers at all levels in Europe to enforce the Law, which
clearly prohibits patenting pure computer programs
(http://petition.eurolinux.org/reference/law.html), instead of changing
it.

I urge decisionmakers at all levels in Europe to reconsider their
current plans and to make sure patents are not abused to prohibit or
restrict the dissemination of computer programs and intellectual
methods.
"

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