Monopolies of the mind (Economist) [LWN.net]

The Economist has run a leader on patent problems. "Europe has not, so far, made the same blunder, but the European Parliament is considering the easing of rules for innovations incorporated in software. This might have a similarly deleterious effect as business-method patents, because many of these have been simply the application of computers to long-established practices."

There is also a (subscribers only) article on fixing the patent system. "Later this month, the European Council of Ministers will discuss draft legislation on harmonising policy on computer-implemented innovations. Many small software companies in Europe, as well as 'open-source' software developers that make non-proprietary software, oppose the initiative. They fear that it is a first step towards adopting controversial software patents, already awarded in America, which could block different implementations of the same features. Were further proof needed that this may not be an entirely positive development, look no further than the mighty software monopolist, Microsoft, whose chairman, Bill Gates, has called on employees to increase the number of patents that the company files."

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Monopolies of the mind (Economist)

Posted Nov 12, 2004 9:02 UTC (Fri) by whitmad (guest, #5456) [Link]

The UK Patent Office and DTI is holding a meeting on the EC Computer Implemented Inventions Directive on 14th December. Can anyone reading this who has received an invitation please contact me at "patents at sparkle-cc dot co dot uk". We should co-operate to make best use of the question and answer session.

Monopolies of the mind (Economist)

Posted Nov 12, 2004 16:58 UTC (Fri) by ccchips (guest, #3222) [Link]

For once, I would like to see it happen that people don't make the same, stupid, mistakes over and over again.

The people responsible for this move to patent software in Europe ought to know better. So should the people who start wars.

But I guess they don't know better---at least, not better than their own greedy appetite.