TechWorld: Patenting 'Lunacy' Will Hit Open Source

"Small software companies in Europe should not relax despite the reprieve granted on software patents, warned well-known UK computing entrepreneur Bob Jones this week.

"Protests caused the European parliament to delay a vote on proposals to implement US-style patent legislation here, but lobbying will continue from US-based multinationals and 'empire-builders' in the European Patent Office, warned Jones.

"'Those who push this European Patent Office-backed proposal actually have the gall to argue this move will protect smaller businesses from the avarice of big business, but in truth the exact opposite will occur,' said Jones. 'This patent lunacy is very much the agenda of the multinationals...'"

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