SOT, MySQL and EFFI Team up to Oppose Software Patents

From:	 "SOT Finnish Software Engineering Ltd." <PRelations@sot.com>
To:	 letters@lwn.net
Subject: SOT and MySQL Oppose Software Patents
Date:	 Mon, 27 May 2002 21:24:54 +0300


SOT, MYSQL AND EFFI TEAM UP TO OPPOSE SOFTWARE PATENTS

Technology Center Hermia, Tampere, Finland, 22.5.2002

National governments within the European Union (EU) are preparing for
negotiations over a proposed EU directive that could allow software
patents within Europe.  SOT has joined forces with MySQL AB and local
lobby group Electronic Frontier Finland (EFFi) to file a statement to the
Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industrial Affairs opposing the EU
commission's proposal.

"Software patenting legislation in the United States was pushed through by
powerful lobby groups in the 1980s, with almost no public discussion.
Now multinational corporations are attempting to import the same system to
Europe.  It is of vital importance that the final choice is made by
national, democratically elected decision-makers.", says Mikko Valimaki, 
chairman of EFFi.

Software patents do not increase the competitiveness of European software
companies.  Instead, software patents threaten the ability of European
companies to compete on the same level as big global companies.

"I am appalled to see certain companies claim to promote Open Source
while patenting Open Source technologies. It is unbelievable that, 
while the EU has shown support for Open Source software in the public 
sector, it is now going to harm those same development efforts by 
accepting software patents" commented Santeri Kannisto, CEO, SOT.

Software developers do not examine patent databases for new innovations.
Patent applications are kept secret for 18 months, during which time
software inventions lose their innovative value.  Moreover, software
patents do not include the software's source code, which is necessary to
implement the invention.  It should be remembered that a workable and
commercially viable means of protecting software rights already exists
through copyright law.


About MySQL AB

MySQL AB develops, supports and markets the MySQL[TM] database server
worldwide. MySQL AB, the sole owner of the MySQL[TM] trademark, is fully
committed to the Open Source philosophy and to making MySQL available and
affordable for all. MySQL AB is a Swedish privately held company
co-founded by David Axmark, Allan Larsson and Michael Widenius.


About SOT Finnish Software Engineering Ltd.

Founded in 1991, SOT is based in Finland, where it produces the SOT Linux
distribution and SOT Office productivity suite. SOT counts among its
customers several of Finland's largest companies. Working in cooperation
with a global team of research, academic, commercial and volunteer
software developers over the Internet, SOT's goal is to build an easier,
more advanced distribution of the Linux operating system that is suitable
for desktop and server applications. Along with the operating system SOT
offers Linux maintenance, support, training, and expert services to
customers globally exploiting the power of Linux.


LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. SOT Linux[TM] and SOT Office[TM]
are trademarks of SOT Finnish Software Engineering Ltd. MySQL[TM] is a
trademark of MySQL AB in the US, Sweden, and other countries, and is
registered in Sweden and 13 other countries. All other names and
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


The directive proposal:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/indprop/com02-92en.pdf


Additional information:

MySQL Ab: http://www.mysql.com

Electronic Frontier Finland: http://www.effi.org

SOT: http://www.sot.com


Media relations
telephone: +358 20 155 2206
fax: +358 20 155 2209
E-mail: PRelations@sot.com