Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>
> No revival of software patents debate
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | All speakers welcomed unequivocally the opportunity to discuss the issue at a
> | high level and made clear that a new
^^^^^^^^^^
> | CII debate
translation: low level debate (to the delight of those "No software
patents" T-shirt dressed RMS lovers running in circles around the
Parliament and shouting "Freedom!")
>} followed by legal
"The majority of the speakers made it clear that they consider the
present situation on CII patenting unsatisfactory, albeit for different
reasons. Nonetheless, the experts agreed that there is no need for
legislative modifications in general: "A new CII debate? No thank
you!"(Francisco Mingorance, BSA Europe). European patent attorney Keith
Beresford spotted inconsistent practices in British court decisions and
the EPO's case law.
While fundamental criticism concerned the "adaptability of the patent
system to the digital society" (Pieter Hintjens, President FFII), others
found the EPO too restrictive in its granting practice (Bernhard
Fischer, SAP). Furthermore, the process was seen as being too expensive
and time consuming and as depriving competitors of their market share
(Daniel Doll-Steinberg, Tribeka Ltd). Thomas Wünsche (EMS T.Wünsche)
explained the damage caused by excessive granting of patents under the
CII umbrella based on examples from his firm. He demanded that the
granting of patents, which constitute an exclusive monopoly and thus
harm competition, is strongly limited with the benefit to society in
mind.
However, all speakers pointed to the potential for change in the system,
such as the "soft IP" approach proposed by IBM (Jonathan Sage). The EPO
earned wide recognition and respect for the "Scenarios for the Future",
a study that "the USTPO would have never undertaken" according to FFII
President, Pieter Hintjens. "
regards,
alexander.
--
"Mathematics is primarily a language for ensuring reliable results
in human social activity. "
-- Columbia Professor Eben Anarcho-Dot Communist Moglen
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