Re: [Fsfe-uk] Software patent - any action?

[MJ Ray]

Chris Lale <address@hidden> wrote:
> I thought of writing to Arlene McCarthy, but her report indicates that
> she does not have much sympathy for free software.

Are you sure it is unsympathetic, or is it just ignorant?  Arlene McCarthy
is an MEP for the North-West with offices in Liverpool and Manchester.  It
would be best if someone from her constituency meets her there and has a
discussion, but if that is not possible before this severe deadline, someone
with similar background could open another dialogue of the type suggested by
FFII's SWPAT group at
http://swpat.ffii.org/papers/eubsa-swpat0202/amccarthy0206/index.en.html

Does anyone know for sure if they are successfully talking to her yet? 
Although SWPAT.FFII is a very good resource, I find it a little short on
"what is the best to do now" opinions.

Anyway, Arlene McCarthy's biography is available on
http://www.copernicus.co.uk/wiab/ViewPage.cfm?Page=1999 (Yes, using the "Web
In A Box" software :-[ ) Can anyone spot any common themes in her biog and
press releases?  I have trouble seeing them.

> Does anyone know what is happening between now and March 2003? Any
> suggestions for what to do next? The only thing I could find on the Web
> was the petition, but this seems to be out-of-date now.

I'd like suggestions for more things, too, as well as some "I have x time I
can donate, what is best to do?" questions.  Software patents are a
mind-bogglingly nasty problem for many things and it makes my head spin.

-- 
MJR   http://mjr.towers.org.uk/   IM: address@hidden
      This is my home web site.   This for Jabber Messaging.

How's my writing? Let me know via any of my contact details.