Hi,
While reading Harish's blog, I came across this post -
http://harishpillay.livejournal.com/97808.html
"Looking at the Singapore context, our laws do not support not deny
support of software patents. But from all my queries with the IPOS, it
seems that software patents crept into Singapore via the Singapore-US
Free Trade Agreement signed a few years ago. I am hoping that the new
law minister will see it as a valuable time spent to look at software
patents and consider legislation barring it officially in Singapore."
Which brings back a lot of memories. I just bought a Nintendo Wii awhile
ago and I was trying to get it "modded" (modified with a chip so that I
can play backup games).
I asked around on the Internet and was immediately slammed, banned,
kicked out and blacklisted from forums and mailing lists. Their reason
was that I was breaking a law and console-modding is illegal.
What nonsense! I went to look up the legislations (Copyright Act).
There's nothing of that sort. Someone pointed out the SG-US FTA and
indeed there is a certain line that prohibits "circumvention of a
technological protection measure". It turned out to be true.
There was a case awhile ago about the police raiding shops in Sim Lim
Square for providing "mod chips". I do not know what charges were
brought against them, though I've the sense that most of it may simply
be FUD. An FTA is not the law, right? (Correct me please)
See the level of ignorance here -
http://forums.gameaxis.com/showthread.php?t=1464718&page=5
My point is that there's alot of fear about the unknown in Singapore and
people trade their ignorance of the law for fear. Fear restricts
creativity and innovation.
What has this got to do with Open Source?
I haven't taken a look at how the FTA "enables" software patent in
Singapore, but I think we need to startup an interest in understanding
the legislation among the Open Source Community in Singapore.
Some sort of Activism for Awareness. Not (yet) rallying in front of the
Parliament, but stepping forward and talking to the people and the media
about The Truth. People here think that what's not explicitly allowed IS
illegal. That's pure FUD and local interest groups take advantage of that.
(This is purely my opinion. I am not a lawyer and I'm putting this
forward to discuss. Let's learn.)
Kelvin Quee
Harish Pillay wrote:
>From slashdot and outrageously funny,
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=529728&cid=23149738
"If you can change a vote of "no with comments [slashdot.org]" to "yes" I
don't see why you couldn't change "fails with 122,000 errors" to "passes." I
mean, when your standard passes through sheer lobbying and politics with
little technical analysis, it's going to take a lot to surprise me with how
epically it fails."
Harish - say something!
What CAN I say? Write to the ISO. Write to CEO IDA. Write to the ITSC
Council. Complain to the Minister. Write to the PM. Blog about it (or comment
on my blog http://harishpillay.livejournal.com/#entry_101072).
Harish
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Kelvin Quee
+65 9177 3635
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Bridging People with Ideas
http://InteresThink.com
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