"As a follow-up to Mandrakesoft's latest flash regarding the
upcoming decision of the European Council to legalize software
patentability in Europe, here are some fresh news and information
on what everyone can do to help.
"If nothing changes, [today], Tuesday May 18, the European
Council, that is, the European body which represents all the
governments of the European Union, will vote in favor of a
directive that will legalize software patents in Europe. Last
September, faced with a similar choice, the European Parliament
voted major amendments to the directive text drafted by the
European Commission, actually rejecting software patentability.
However, the Council, ignoring all of these amendments, is going to
vote in favor of a text that is even worse than the initial version
of the Commission..."
PCPro UK: EU Ministers Vote in Favour of Software Patents
"Today, the EU Council of Ministers voted in favour of a draft
of a directive that legalises software patents in Europe, causing
concern among software developers.
"The Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII)
said: 'The ministers have allowed their patent office
administrators, who actually hold the key to the dossier, to
destroy the directive project...'"
