From 5dbb2c417e2b7cc38cd9d8fff05b68a242134a3e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: nicoulas Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 17:55:43 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] added press release about european patent svn path=/trunk/; revision=19586 --- news/2011/news-20110209-01.en.xhtml | 93 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 93 insertions(+) create mode 100644 news/2011/news-20110209-01.en.xhtml diff --git a/news/2011/news-20110209-01.en.xhtml b/news/2011/news-20110209-01.en.xhtml new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..08097d3a2d --- /dev/null +++ b/news/2011/news-20110209-01.en.xhtml @@ -0,0 +1,93 @@ + + + + + European Patent: FSFE urges European Parliament to wait for legal advice + + + +

European Patent: FSFE urges European Parliament to wait for legal advice

+ +

+ Free Software Foundation Europe is asking the Members of the European + Parliament to wait for legal advice before voting on a unitary patent + for Europe. While a proposal is on the Parliament's agenda for the + coming week, a legal opinion by the European Court of Justice is + expected later this month. +

+ +

+ "Software patents hurt innovation and are an unnecessary burden on + European software developers," says Karsten Gerloff, President of the + Free Software Foundation Europe. "Legislators need to take charge and + make sure the patent system contributes to the public good. As the + European Patent Organisation has acknowledged, this is a decision that + cannot be left to bureaucrats and the judiciary." +

+ +

+ FSFE is concerned that the European Parliament will lose legislative + competence regarding patents, which will then be controlled by the + European Patent Organisation. This clearly creates a conflict of + interest, as the EPO will be responsible both for awarding patents and + for defining what is patentable. The EPO's expansionist record in this + regard gives cause to worry that this will lead to software patents + being validated. +

+ +

+ The European Court of Justice is expected to publish its opinion about + the proposed "enhanced cooperation" of EU member states towards creating a + single patent system for Europe. Documents published so far indicate + that the Court will find the proposal in conflict with the EU + treaties. Resolving these will require fundamental changes to the + proposal. The Parliament's vote should take place after these changes + so that the Parliament can review the actual proposal. +

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+ FSFE hopes that the vote will be delayed until the Parliament can read + the Court of Justice's opinion and has had time to analyse this + proposal. +

+ + +

Contacts

+ +

+ Free Software Foundation Europe
+ E-Mail: press at fsfeurope.org

+ + Karsten Gerloff, President
+ +49-176-96904298
+ + More contact information +

+ +

About the Free Software Foundation Europe

+ +

+ The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit non- + governmental organisation active in many European countries and + involved in many global activities. Access to software determines + participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in + the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free + Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the + furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study, + modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues, + securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people + Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issue + of the FSFE. +

+ + + + front-page + + + +