Hi all, I just received the email below. I think it is important to respond, but a co-ordinated response is better than my single effort. What's the best way of doing this? I'm actually doing some work concerning a disputed US software patent. The patent (no. 6,725,438) basically describes an algorithm. According to my work so far, part of the algorithm doesn't work. This is bad because the company that filed the patent has used it to produce a successful software product, and has obviously fixed the algorithm without any disclosure. I guess one can file a software patent in the US without any requirement of a working prototype.
In addition I am struggling to find what has been invented, as the algorithm describes techniques for logic design that are in the public domain, and indeed are referenced by the patent. If you are interested, there is an initial report which starts at http://www.vlsitechnology.org/html/symapatent.html Best regards, Graham Petley --- Eurolinux petition <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Graham Petley, 1) The vote in the Second Reading on the software patent directive is in 11-13 work days, on 5-7 July. 2) Lobbying in Brussels is heavy, currently there is much pressure on MEPs by pro-software-patent companies. The pro-patent lobby has about 30 lobbyists more than we, mostly wearing the hat of SMEs. 3) Your action is needed, at http://noepatents.eu.org/ we maintain a list of what you can do as an SME and as an individual. Especially we advise to see your MEP soon and, if you can speak for an SME, to visit the Economic Majority conference 29 June Brussels http://www.economic-majority.com/konf050629/. Please decide to come the conference early, so that a date with your MEP or with his/her assistant can be arranged in advance. With kind regards, Hartmut Pilch, Gérald Sédrati-Dinet, FFII
