Europe Says NO to Software Patents

In a vary rational decision the European Parliament rejected today the law on software patents. The vote result of the Parliament's vote (648 to 14) is a very clear sign that software patents are not wanted by the europeans, and they will not give up their position without a fight. The European Commission, the bureaucratic organism that pushed the bill under the presure of the large corporations, said it would not draw up or submit any more versions of the original proposal. This is in fact a well deserved victory for patent opponents, but the war is far from over. At least until the EU Parliament comes with a clear directive that completely eradicates software patents.

References:
europarl.eu.int
http://wiki.ffii.org/PrReject050706Enhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4655955.stm
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/06/business/patents.php
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/06/eu_bins_swpat