Open source is affected by software patents the same way as closed source:
both are harmed.
However, sw patents govern use. So the harm is not limited to developers
but *any computer user* at all will have problems. Thus it is a serious
question for businesses, agencies, organizations and individual citizens
who use computers. Unfortunately one which has been ignored. The pro sw
patent lobbyists have often been quick to reach legislators and mislead
them into thinking that it is a 'technical' problem or one that only
affects developers.
The FFII hosted a conference on the topic about a year and a half ago:
http://en.eu.ffii.org/sections/bxl0411/program/
The audio from the conference is available. It was interesting to hear
that a single bad patent takes an average of $4 000 000 USD to overturn.
It was also interesting to hear how attorneys for the seed company example
knuckled under. Since any given website can violate dozens of patents, at
$ 50 000 per year per patent, just to keep using their computers, users
can lose out big time.
The EFF and FFII go into much more detail about the problems caused by sw
patents. Also note that they have been tied to trade negotiations with
the US and in that way piggy-backed onto agreements like CAFTA. Europe
does not currently allow sw patents, but trouble is brewing because the
EPO has been granting these apparently invalid patents and those trying
to introduce sw patents into the EU haven't been put down for good. Maybe
with Berlusconi out of the picture that will get easier. Who knows?
The EFF / FFII can go into more detail that you'll get here.
-Lars
Lars Noodén ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Patents are wrong for software but right for inventions. Write:
http://consultation.ffii.org/Commission_extends_the_consultation_by_12_days
On Tue, 18 Apr 2006, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Thanks a lot for helping about Issuezilla. If you don't mind I have
another question because I am currently doing an assignment on
OpenOffice. How software patents might affect the development of open
source applications such as OpenOffice.
Thank you beforehand
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
