[CompSoc-News] The patent issue serious problem

[compsoc-news at skynet.ie]

Folks

Did you know that skynet runs on Linux, an open source
operating system - one which could not exist in an
environment where commercial entities could patent and
enforce these patents on software ideas they implemented.

In an environment where a corporation can patent a button,
or a checkbox, or a scrollbar, or the practice of clicking on something
with a mouse, where is the scope for alternative corporations
and individuals to produce competing products and services in the software
arena?

With software patenting as law in Ireland - skynet (and many, many other
services we've been used to having) are at risk of being terminated.
Despite a number of other European countries categorically rejecting
the very idea of software patents, the elected politicians in Ireland
seem to think there is some merit to this idea - despite strong
opposition from their own electorate!

Please make your voice heard in addition to ours in
opposing the idea of software patentability in Ireland promote a
free market, good healthy competition and a drive towards better software
wherever it comes from not limited to the company with a
big enough legal team and budget to patent things quicker than somebody
else.

http://www.skynet.ie/~maddenj/swpat

Laura Czajkowski

*********************************************************************
>From ILUG
 The patent issue is a very serious problem and needs to be posted to
 every newspaper, TV station, radio station, MEP in your local area, TD
 in your local area etc.

 Don't go with the attitude that someone else will do it in my area:-

 DO IT YOURSELF

 We only have until Monday.

 Not Everyone Understands the Patent Situation, so here are a few links
 for you to understand it a bit better:

 http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7055
 http://swpat.ffii.org/journal/04/cons0507/index.en.html
 http://kwiki.ffii.org/SwpatcninoEn


 Microsoft, a sponsor for the presidency of the EU?

 http://lwn.net/Articles/85301/


 Our own press release and please pass it on.
 http://www.mandrakesoft.ie/Contactus/press2.html