european software patents

keex · 09-24-2003, 09:58 AM

hello, dear linux fellows!

AFAIK today's (septeber 24th 2003) the day where the software patent law is being passed...

does anybody know how this ended?

regards.

speter · 09-24-2003, 10:53 AM

It passed, and the vote wasn't nearly as close as people had predicted.

That got me to wondering if open-source projects couldn't get patents to protect themselves. We'd certainly need some pro-bono lawyers, but it should work.

Steve

codec · 09-24-2003, 11:52 AM

It's better than I expected. The programmers can still write what they want without getting sue. The company that hold patents can charge the end-users tho.

It would affect the use of linux in companies and f****** SCO may go charge users in eu as well.....

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030924/0711000338_4.html

trickykid · 09-24-2003, 12:23 PM

Moved: General discussions are more suitable in the General forum. Regards.

Mara · 09-24-2003, 04:17 PM

It's better than I expected. Details here: http://swpat.ffii.org/papers/eubsa-s....en.html#links

keex · 09-24-2003, 05:19 PM

so, what exactly does it mean for me?

I mean, lets say I install a LINUX BOX in a small company with a diversity of used protocolls, like:
SMB (samba)
FTP
HTTP
DHCP
DNS

can WE be sued then? - the whole damn thing stinks like crap... I feel like shouting my lungs out... I don't fu**ing want to be forced to use M$ Windoze...

Mara · 09-25-2003, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keex

can WE be sued then?

It is possible, but only when the software breaks parents. BUT:

Quote:

Member States shall ensure that wherever the use of a patented technique is needed for the sole purpose of ensuring conversion of the conventions used in two different computer systems or network so as to allow communication and exchange of data content between them, such use is not considered to be a patent infringement.

Impotantthing for Samba, IMHO.

Mara · 09-25-2003, 05:37 PM

BTW It's not law yet. There will be second voting.