I agree that fighting software patentds in NZ and the US is necessary, but that will be easier if sw patents do not gain a foothold in the EU.
Like anything else that can't be made into a sound bite, the problem with adopting software patents is one that that many people miss. The harm is not limited to just OOo or Open Source or even just to developers. Software patents would affect any business wishing to use computers.
They will have to pay either directly or indirectly or else pay the millions of dollars to overturn that particular patent.
e.g. the "shopping cart" has been around on the web since 1994. However, it is one of twenty common features which patents hinder:
http://webshop.ffii.org/
The EFF and FFII are two organizations working to prevent further damage. How many on the list are in labour unions (the European kind, not the US kind) and have brought up the issue there?
-Lars
Lars Nooden ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Software patents kill innovation and harm all Net-based business.
Keep them out of the EU by writing your MEP, keep the market open.On Wed, 16 Mar 2005, Graham Lauder wrote:
Someone else raised this on the list back when MS first registered the patent last year. I made comment in support of doing something about it considering that OOo's file format is all about XML.
Our concerns however were met with deafening silence and a shrug or two. Non-American so it seems it doesn't matter.
Thank god the NZ Open Source Society is going to fight it. Maybe people would like to contribute to the fight fund.... yea right!
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