Henk Hangyi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi, > > What i don't understand: > > 1. Why is there not more public debat about the european law on software > patents. If i understand the message correctly all open source software > will be patented if the law is accepted. This means that we will have to > pay for using linux, apache, tomcat, php and mmbase in the near future?
Yes, though not because the software is patented (it is already protected by copyright), but the implementation ideas used in it could be or become patented. Perhaps e.g. the complete idea of using a database to fill your site is or can be patented, in which case you'd have to pay money to the owner of such a completely silly patent, just to implement mmbase. > 2. Which are the organisations which are pushing the european law on > software patents. I expect the Europ?isches Patentamt > (http://www.european-patent-office.org) is one of the main players. If > this is the case, we should also visit: I'm not sure what their role is. Perhaps they are the people responsieble for giving out completely ridicule patents? Michiel -- Michiel Meeuwissen Mediacentrum 140 H'sum +31 (0)35 6772979 nl_NL eo_XX en_US mihxil' [] ()
