Happy Anti-Software Patent Day
A global coalition of more than 80 software companies, associations and developers has declared the 24th of September to be the "World Day Against Software Patents".
According to Benjamin Henrion, initiator of the StopSoftwarePatents coalition effort,
The aim behind StopSoftwarePatents is to gather a worldwide coalition of businesses and civil society in order to get laws which clearly exempt software from patentable subject matter. This is the best solution for getting rid of 'patent trolls' and uncontrollable legal risks generated by software patents. The day the software industry forms a clear front against software patents will be the beginning of the end for the 'patent trolls'.See the press release here, along with a link to a draft petition (making reference to the "American disease" of patent law).
More at endsoftwarepatents.org
UPDATE: Apparently, it appears that the entire patent system is "stifling science" - read more at BBC News (link)
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I find the article on stifling science quite humorous. If they do away from the patent system, biotech companies will keep their innovations secret. It will result in less sharing of ideas. What the ETC group fails to understand is licensing. If you want to use someone's technology, you have to pay for it.
Did I say that large software companies want a weaker patent system? Isn’t that the mantra of FFII, allegedly in the name of small businesses, rallying against the big software companies? Are they on the same side? FFII and their ilk have tirelessly protested, rallying their troops by proclaiming that the big software companies will exert their patents to harm the small companies. When the truth is uncovered, the big companies are actually intimidated by the small companies, not the other way around. FFII, masquerading as a proponent of small businesses, has actually played into the big company’s hands, giving them even more power.
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brukewilliams
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