[Sheflug] N.E Labour MEP threatening free and open source software

[Richard Ibbotson <richard [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi

This just came into our enquiries address.  Thought someone else might 
like to read it.......  


----------  Forwarded Message  ----------

Subject: N.E Labour MEP threatening free and open source software
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 14:02:33 +0000 (GMT)
From: nick [at] nickhill.co.uk
To: enquiries [at] sheflug.co.uk

The future of free and open source  software is threatened. A few,
very large, rich proprietary software companies
are attempting to extend a government sanctioned monopoly in such
a way to make it impossible for individuals, small and medium
companies to compete in the software market.

Such a government monopoly will make it dangerous for anyone (who
is not extremely rich and has a software patent portfolio) to
release software using any algorithm which may be represented by
software. A typical software package may contain millions of what
could be described as patentable techniques. (combinations can be
individual and overlapping, making even a small program
perilous).

The free software paradigm of sharing and improving
cannot work if those engaged in the activity are threatened by a
multi-million pound lawsuit from a proprietary software
corporation. Releasing source code alone would be dangerous, as
this will expose the implementation methods, which would act as
evidence in a patent lawsuit.

Such techniques are written into patents in a way to make it
virtually impossible to search a patent database to check whether
the technique is patented. Richard Stallman made an excellent
example in his recent Cambridge lecture (*1), using natural order
recalculation of spreadsheets, AKA topological sorting. This was
described in a patent as "A method of compiling formulas into
object code". This patent would evade any attempt for a search of
the idea using standard terminology in the field.

Patents will angle the field strongly in favour of the very rich
and those who have the most patents. Smaller players in the
market, with patents, will need to cross-license with the large
players to stay in the game. Those outside the market with
patents will need to risk a significant amount of capital to
establish the validity of a patent claim, or sell out to the
corporation. RMS makes a good case regarding this in his
Cambridge lecture *1 below.

Arlene McCarthy is actively supporting moves in the EU Parliament
to officially legalise the practice of patenting software in
Europe. A practice which the European Patent Office is
currently following, despite being illegal. These proposals are
being pushed by the European patent office on behalf of it's
customers (!) and by the Business Software Alliance. Arlene
McCarthy  is an MEP for the northwest of England, covering areas
such as Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire and the Manchester
region.

It is essential the local Labour party is pressurised to
de-select Arlene McCarthy, or at very least, she is made to
understand that her activities are against the interests of those
she is supposed to represent. Arlene McCarthy has been
re-selected to stand for the North East region in the coming
European elections in 2004. She is number 2 on the Labour list. I
welcome any ideas and information about how we can ensure she
does not continue to destroy our community, freedoms and
choice.

What you can do:
Contact your local political party for ideas on how to combat
this threat. In particular, contact the local labour party to
voice our concerns.
Look for opportunities to meet Arlene McCarthy. Talk to her about
these issues.
Talk to local Labour party activists about her
activities. Start a discussion to raise awareness in all local
LUGs in the region.
Review the excellent FFII web site and listen/ read RMS'
Cambridge lecture.

More information about Arlene McCarthy and her antisocial
activities can be found here:
http://swpat.ffii.org/players/mccarthy/index.en.html

*1 Richard Stallman's Cambridge lecture is available in audio
format and in an HTMLised document from the following
links:

http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/audio/
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/stallman-patents.html

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