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.