effi.org: Open Letter on Software Patents from Linux Developers

“Dear Mr. Cox,

“We have been following with growing concern that Europe has
been extending patentability to computer programs. Now European
Parliament is about to vote on a directive that could put a stop to
this development, or make it worse, depending on how it is amended
by the Parliament.

“US experience shows that, unlike traditional patents, software
patents do not encourage innovation and R&D, quite the
contrary. In particular they hurt small and medium-sized
enterprises and generally newcomers in the market. They will just
weaken the market and increase spending on patents and litigation,
at the expense of technological innovation and research…”

Complete
Story