[Lilux-info] [Fwd: Software Patents Directive: associations call to demonstrate all over Europe]

* other languages linked below * ============================================================================ Software Patents Directive: associations call to demonstrate all over Europe ============================================================================ PRESS RELEASE -- [ Europe / economy / ICT ] Brussels, 22th May 2005. The coming vote of the European Parliament will be decisive in whether software patents are introduced in Europe. Members of the European Parliament are currently visited every day by an army of professional lobbyists to convince them that software patents are a good thing for small enterprises and independant developers. Patents on software will render development more risky, and will endanger every software programmer in Europe. It is important to raise your voice before it is too late. If the Parliament votes in favour of some amendments which allow software patent loopholes, they will endanger a majority of jobs of the European IT sector. AEL.be and Openstandaarden.be invites people who are concerned by the dangers of software patents to demonstrate on 2nd June in Brussels and in some other European cities, and as well on the Internet [1]. It is important to raise the awareness of Members of the European Parliament that giving a 20 year monopoly on software ideas is the worst thing they can do. Alexandre Dulaunoy comments: "Software and computer programs have always been subject to copyright law as they are a form of writing. Introducing software patents will be in conflict with well-established and proven author's rights. Software patents will allow patent monopolies to limit innovation within Europe's knowledge based economy. A free society is closely linked to the ability to create and build a free market. As we want to keep a free society, we are firmly opposed to software patents." Mark Vandenborre, from Openstandaarden mentions: "We hope for a mobilisation from all over Europe, so that the pro-patent lobby won't succeed in their disinformation campaign. The lobbying of big corporations in the European Parliament is very intensive, and they try to create an illusion that patents are good for small players [2]." One year ago, the 18th May 2004, Mr Bolkestein and the Irish presidency reached an agreement on a text which will legalise patents on every software idea. On the 7th March 2005, the Luxembourg presidency ignored their own rules of procedure to get the directive formally approved, against the will of 3 countries who wanted to reopen negotiations. The European Parliament will vote on the Directive on the 6th July. ================================================================= More infos [1] http://noepatents.eu.org [2] http://wiki.ffii.org/EictaSme050425En ================================================================= Contacts * Mark Van Den Borre <mark(a)markvdb.be> (Openstandaarden.be) (Langs: NL/FR) +32 486 961726 * Benjamin Henrion <bh(a)udev.org> (AEL.be) (Langs:FR/EN) +32 498 292771 ================================================================= Supporters This campaign is supported by several associations listed here: http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/All_Supporters ================================================================= About AEL The Association Electronique Libre is a Belgian association protecting fundamental rights in the information society. AEL supports freedoms of speech, press and association on the Internet or any electronic medium, the right to use encryption software for private communication, the right to create software unimpeded by private monopolies, the right to access and preserve public domain and free digital information. About Openstandaarden OpenStandaarden.be's mission is to promote the use of open standards in all digital communication. Our approach consists of building a constructive dialog with IT staff and decision makers. We want to create awareness about the importance of open standards, and convince them to effectively apply them. We are a group of independent volunteers, committed to offer our expertise in order to realise these goals. ================================================================= About this Press Release EN: http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/Press_ReleasesEn FR: http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/Press_ReleasesFr NL: http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/Press_ReleasesNl DE: http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/Press_ReleasesDe =================================================================