Dutch EU presidency critical about software patents

[Henk Elegeert]

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Dutch EU presidency critical about software patents
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The Dutch EU presidency has commissioned a report with very
critical remarks about software patents. "The mild regime of
IP protection in the past has led to a very innovative and
competitive software industry with low entry barriers. A
software patent, which serves to protect invention of a
non-technical nature, could kill the high innovation
rate.(...) Only very few European companies have prepared
themselves for the consequences of a software patent regime.
It raises the question how the introduction of the European
software patent interacts with a European strategy based on
the widespread use of ICT's." (page 50)

As commissioner of this report, the Dutch Minister of
Economical Affairs, Brinkhorst, makes a remarkable shift in
position. In the European Council of ministers of economical
affairs on 18 May, he agreed with the Council's position in
endorsing software patents. The Dutch parliament than, on 1
July 2004, adopted a motion urging him to change his vote
into an abstention. He didn't respond in a manner that
satisfied the parliament, and new questions were raised on
31 August.

The report 'Rethinking the European ICT Agenda' presents 10
so-called 'breakthroughs' to rethink and revitalise the
Lisbon Agenda.

Rethinking the European ICT Agenda (August 2004)
http://www.ez.nl/content.jsp?objectid=24583

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