Haven't seen this posted yet...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4655955.stm

Basically, all the amendments to the bill to try and stop software being patentable led to no-one liking it.

I'd be interested to see if anyone on the boards would be in favour of software patents? I'm very much against the idea myself.

Heh, in stark contrast the US where liberalisation of patent laws have led to a huge number of ridiculous patents.

Yeah, the US had a ten year old who patented a 'special' way of swinging on a swingset.
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*blinks uncontroably*
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ARGH, I accidently voted good, because I thought you meant if we thought it was good that the European Parliament have voted against it, so if any mod or admin would be so kind to change my vote...

YES! IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH! W00HOOO!!!!

MPLAYER AND VLC ARE SAVED!!!! THERE IS A GOD!!!!

I've never actually heard of a software patent that wasn't completely asinine.

They DO make good decisions once in a while 8)

Now they just have to revise that stupid farmer support thingy.

Ah crap. I accidentally voted good because I thought it meant good that Europe said no to software patents.

...you really ought to be more clear in poll options like, "Yes, software patents are good" etc.

Patents in general = Bad

I wish they'd do this in the US.

GO EUROPE!!!

Because people copying other peoples ideas, or reverse engineering are both THE GREATEST THINGS EVAR!



Really, if I came up with a neato-torpedo awesome idea, I wouldn't want some other shmuck using it.

And yes, stupid things get patented.

However, I fail to see how thats a GREAT argument.

To protect the many, you have to shaft the few. Thats the way it works, unfortunately.

I don't know about the US, but in Germany we have the Urheberrecht (founder's right) that protects intelectual property. Patents are for inventions, you can't patent an idea.

I don't know what this means, any one care to explain this?

I do.

Please explain.