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.