Re: [Fsfe-uk] Cambridge swpat

[Ramanan Selvaratnam]

> >  http://www.aful.org/wws/arc/patents/2003-06/msg00034.html
> >
> > Was this the note you were thinking of ?  He was going to send it to
> > members of the JURI committee.
> >    
>
> Hmm, I think a couple of items mentioned there are complete
> non-starters, exemptions for free software,
I see clearly that software freedom related principles allow few to be  
exempt from the confusion other non-free software 
developers/lawyers/marketeers will face.
If non-free software 'fans' wish for some clear future directions they 
should always be welcome but should really be discouraged to make 
concessions on matters that is not their business.

Here is another non starter......
' It would be reasonable to reduce patent validity to 5 years where software
was a key part of the process being patented.'

First it is (proposed) software patents .... People should be 
responsible everytime the word 'patent' is mentioned to be very clear 
because politicians and lawyers love reading between lines and out of 
context.
Second ..... why reduce?.....there is no software patents. Period.
Yes, I have certainly seen suggestions from irresponsible people that it 
is a 'done deal' etc. but it is not here yet. is it?

[...]

> I know we have discussed these topics before, but now is a good time to
> have the arguments to hand.
>
>  
Agreed.