Richard Schilling <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Richard,
What you say seems fine. But software patents can cause problems to us here.
Most software come from the US and software is so expensive that there is
rampant piracy of software in many countires. Recent WTO agreements have made
this illegal and therefore it is not posssible for people here to get pirated
copies anymore.
This is a good thing, in my opinion, but there are many people who find that
they can't get software nor can they afford it. They are frustrated and unhappy.
They look at FOSS with some interest and our LUG has been very actively doing
a lot of stuff. The government agency setup to do the e-government and
promotion are also naturally interested. However patents related to software is
rearing it's ugly head and worrying people here. We feel if software patents
are brought in here by law, it will cause a lot of concern as peopl here can
ill afford legal costs that may come with such laws.
You in the US and me because I use FOSS for everything do not care. But for
students and people here software costs are prohibitive. Piracy was a godsend
that has now gone. They feel helpless, don't they?
The digital divide is maintained. This is why any laws that may affect FOSS
worries us as it is the only way forward. Even those in the US and EU do not
think software patent issues are "silly".
NandA
Nandalal Gunaratne wrote:
> Definitely no anti-US sentiments from here.
>
> But we worry about the laws which stifle the development of lesser
> developed countires in their progress inICT.
Really? That amazes me. Alright, I'll play U.S. QnA session here. Tell
me your concerns and I'll try to address them as they relate to OSCHA
operating internationally with members in the U.S.
First off...
Silly patents that have been applied for are irrelevant to OSCHA.
Membership in the WTO, as Malaysia has achieved, help protect OSCHA's
intellectual properties.
If OSCHA is registered in the U.S. as a trade association all anyone has
to do is sign up. It's that easy.
If OSCHA is registered as a domestic, U.S. non-profit corporation all we
have to do is direct OSCHA resources to carry out its mission in other
countries. OSCHA branches in other countries might have different
limitations and permissions on its activities.
Richard
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