Local Action Days 2004/05/08-12

Annotated Links
Questions, Things To Do, How you can Help

Annotated Links

Demo Amsterdam 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Dutch government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from many dutch MEPs, against heavy pressure from Commissioner Frits Bolkestein and from national governments. The dutch government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists and the decisions of the dutch parliament of 2001, which were based on a consensus of the whole software sector. Instead, the government is slavishly following the patent arms of a few large corporate entities (e.g. Philips) and industry associations manipulated by them and blocking all discussions about different policy options and their effects. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Dutch politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Goals of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have been abused by the patent lobby for false representation claims.
Demo Athina 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Greek government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from many spanish MEPs from most parties. However the Greek government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists Instead, the government is allowing its patent administrators to overthrow the Parliament's decision through a backroom negotiation process in the Council. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Greek politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have left their decisions to corporate patent lawyers and allowed them to speak in their name against the interests of Greece's software innovators.
Demo Berlin 2004/05:: Unter Beteiligung der deutschen Bundesregierung wird hinter verschlossenen Türen im Rat der Europäischen Union daran gearbeitet, in Europa die Patentierbarkeit von "computer-implementierten" Rechenregeln und Geschäftsmethoden zu legalisieren. Das gegenteilige Votum des Europäischen Parlamentes und der großen Mehrheit der beteiligten Akteure und Wissenschaftler wird ignoriert. Dem am 13. Juni neu zu wählenden Europaparlament steht eine noch schärfere Auseinandersetzung bevor. Ihm wollen wir den Rücken stärken, indem wir diejenige Öffentlichkeit schaffen, die im Rat fehlt. An eine Pressekonferenz und eine wissenschaftliche Tagung wird sich eine Fußmarsch durch Berlin anschließen, zu dessen Zielen Ministerien (BMJ, BMWA, BMBF), Patentinstitutionen und die (von Konzern-Patentjuristen missbrauchten) Wirtschaftsverbände gehören können.
Demo Dublin 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Dublin government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from Sinn Fein and the Greens. Other parties tried to push for unlimited patentability as the government is currently doing, at the request of the patent arms of a few large corporate entities and industry associations manipulated by them. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Irish politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the manipulated trade associations.
Demo Helsinki 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Finnish government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from many finnish MEPs from most parties. However the Finnish government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists Instead, the government is following the wishes of its patent office managment and of Nokia's patent department, allowing its patent administrators to overthrow the Parliament's decision through a backroom negotiation process in the Council. The Parliament's Comittee of Economic Affairs also supports this policy and has so far failed to assess the interests that are at stake. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Finnish politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government and parliament buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have left their decisions to corporate patent lawyers and allowed them to speak in their name against the interests of Finnland's software innovators.
Demo København 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Danish government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from danish MEPs of various parties, especially the Left, Greens and June Movement. However the Danish government is ignoring the voices of programmers and economists. Instead, the government is allowing officials close to the Danish Patent Office to overthrow the Parliament's decision through a backroom negotiation process in the Council. The Danish government has in the past been one of the drivers of this process. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Danish politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have left their decisions to corporate patent lawyers and allowed them to speak in their name against the interests of Denmark's's software innovators.
Demo Lisbon 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Portuguese government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from portuguese MEPs from most parties. However the Portuguese government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists Instead, the government is allowing its patent administrators to overthrow the Parliament's decision through a backroom negotiation process in the Council. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Portuguese politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have left their decisions to corporate patent lawyers and allowed them to speak in their name against the interests of Portugal's software innovators.
Demo London 2004/05:: Under pressure from the London government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003. All UK parties, except for the Greens and the Independentists, voted for unlimited patentability, ignoring the overwhelming opposition expressed in the UK government's consultation of 2000, and sticking instead with interests of the patent arms of a few large corporate entities. The UK government and the large parties have been completely unresponsive to the concerns of the public at large. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of UK politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the manipulated trade associations.
Demo Luxemburg 2004/05:: Unter Beteiligung der Luxemburger Regierung wird hinter verschlossenen Türen im Rat der Europäischen Union daran gearbeitet, in Europa die Patentierbarkeit von "computer-implementierten" Rechenregeln und Geschäftsmethoden zu legalisieren. Das gegenteilige Votum des Europäischen Parlamentes und der großen Mehrheit der beteiligten Akteure und Wissenschaftler wird ignoriert. Dem am 13. Juni neu zu wählenden Europaparlament steht eine noch schärfere Auseinandersetzung bevor. Ihm wollen wir den Rücken stärken, indem wir diejenige Öffentlichkeit schaffen, die im Rat fehlt. An eine Pressekonferenz und eine wissenschaftliche Tagung wird sich eine Fußmarsch durch Luxemburg anschließen, zu dessen Zielen, Ministerien, Patentinstitutionen, Parteizentralen und Wirtschaftsverbände gehören können.
Demo Madrid 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Spanish government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from many spanish MEPs from most parties. However the Spanish government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists Instead, the government is allowing its patent administrators to overthrow the Parliament's decision through a backroom negotiation process in the Council. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Spanish politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Targets of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have left their decisions to corporate patent lawyers and allowed them to speak in their name against the interests of Spain's software innovators.
Demo München 2004/05:: Unter Beteiligung der deutschen Bundesregierung wird hinter verschlossenen Türen im Rat der Europäischen Union daran gearbeitet, in Europa die Patentierbarkeit von "computer-implementierten" Rechenregeln und Geschäftsmethoden zu legalisieren. Das gegenteilige Votum des Europäischen Parlamentes und der großen Mehrheit der beteiligten Akteure und Wissenschaftler wird ignoriert. Dem am 13. Juni neu zu wählenden Europaparlament steht eine noch schärfere Auseinandersetzung bevor. Ihm wollen wir den Rücken stärken, indem wir diejenige Öffentlichkeit schaffen, die im Rat fehlt. An eine Pressekonferenz und eine wissenschaftliche Tagung wird sich eine Fußmarsch durch München anschließen, zu dessen Zielen das Europäischen Patentamt, das Hauptquartier der standortsschädigend Lobbyarbeit betreibenden Firma Siemens und die Zentrale der im Europäischen Parlament eine große und unrühmliche Rolle spielenden CSU gehören können.
Manif Paris 2004/05:: Sous pression du gouvernement Français, l'UE est poussée à légaliser les brevets sur algorithmes et methodes d'affaires "mises en oeuvre par ordinateur". Le Parlement Européen a voté pour confirmer la non-brevetabilité du logiciel en septembre 2003, avec le soutien d'une majorité de députés français de plusieurs partis, une grande contribution à cette victoire étant fait par Michel Rocard et le Parti Socialiste. Malheureusement le gouvernement français laisse mains libres aux administrateurs de brevets de l'INPI qui représentent la France dans les négotiations du Conséil UE et y collaborent avec des autres administrateurs de brevets nationaux pour renverser la décision du Parlament. En organisant une manifestation, une conférence de presse et un conférence de recherche, nous essayons de jeter plus de lumière sur les processus dans le Conséil et de leur donner l'attention qu'ils méritent dans les elections au Parlament Européen du juin. Parmi les cibles possibles de la marche peuvent être des batiments gouvernementaux, des institution du système de brevets et des batiment des partis et association qui se sont fait abuser par le lobby du brevet.
Demo Roma 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Italian government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from many italian MEPs. However the italian government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists. Instead, the government is allowing its patent administrators to overthrow the Parliament's decision through a backroom negotiation process in the Council. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Italian politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Goals of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the companies and trade associations that have left their decisions to corporate patent lawyers and allowed them to speak in their name against the interests of most of Italy's innovative companies.
Demo Stockholm 2004/05:: Under pressure from the Swedish government, the EU is being pushed to legalise patents on "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods. The European Parliament voted to confirm the non-patentability of software in September 2003, with support from only a few swedish MEPs (e.g. liberal Olle Schmidt, conservative Anders Wijkman). The socialist and conservative blocks pushed for monopolisation of abstract reasoning, thereby slowing down innovation and productivity of most Swedish companies. The government is currently ignoring the voices of most programmers and economists, slavishly following the patent arms of a few large corporate entities (Ericsson, ABB, Scania) and industry associations manipulated by them and blocking all discussions about different policy options and their effects. By organising a demonstration, press conference and study conference we want to throw the light of public scrutiny on the questionable backroom dealings of Swedish politicians in Brussels and give this subject the weight which it deserves in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Goals of the march may include government buildings, patent institutions, party headquarters and headquarters of some of the manipulated trade associations.
Demo Wien 2004/05:: Unter Beteiligung der österreichischen Bundesregierung wird hinter verschlossenen Türen im Rat der Europäischen Union daran gearbeitet, in Europa die Patentierbarkeit von "computer-implementierten" Rechenregeln und Geschäftsmethoden zu legalisieren. Das gegenteilige Votum des Europäischen Parlamentes und der großen Mehrheit der beteiligten Akteure und Wissenschaftler wird ignoriert. Dem am 13. Juni neu zu wählenden Europaparlament steht eine noch schärfere Auseinandersetzung bevor. Ihm wollen wir den Rücken stärken, indem wir diejenige Öffentlichkeit schaffen, die im Rat fehlt. An eine Pressekonferenz und eine wissenschaftliche Tagung wird sich eine Fußmarsch durch Wien anschließen, zu dessen Zielen Ministerien, Patentinstitutionen (ÖPA, EPA) und die (von Konzern-Patentjuristen missbrauchte) Industriellenvereinigung gehören können.

WebDemo Against Software Patents: The economic policy speaker of the Austrian People's Party and of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, MEP Othmar Karas, wrote a letter to responsible members of the Austrian government two weeks before these "instructions" came out, in which he explained why the European Patent Office's practise is an unacceptable model and asked the ministery to follow the decision of the European Parliament. As of 2004/05/05 (when the "instructions" came out), there had been no response.
EU Council 2004 Proposal on Software Patents: The Council of Ministers has reached political agreement on a paper which contains alternative suggestions to the amendments on the directive "on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions" passed by the European Parliament (EP). In contrast to the EP version, the council version permits unlimited patentability and patent enforceability. Following the current version, "computer-implemented" algorithms and business methods would be inventions in the sense of patent law, and the publication of a functional description of a patented idea would constitute a patent infringement. Protocols and data formats could be patented and would then not be freely usable even for interoperability purposes. These implications might not be apparent to the casual reader. Here we try to decipher the misleading language of the proposal and explain its implications.

Questions, Things To Do, How you can Help

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