Patents were first introduced as a means to encourage competition, to promote scientific research. The current state of patents and patents related to software and technology these days is purely of commercial exploitation. Patents are expensive to register and is beyond the means of many common folk. They are used nowadays very successfully to prevent
scientific advances and are used as a weapon to kill competition. Even companies which do not like the current state of the patent system are forced to register patents of their own IP to create a portfolio of defence and deterrance. The lengths to which the U.S. patent system has been exploited can far best be described as ridiculous. Some find “inventions” such as the Amazon 1-click system humourous; it can best be described as only ridiculous and outrageous.
Please do not support any company, organization, person, or entity who enforce patents as a means to kill competition or invention for their own commercial greed. It is best you practise your business with companies or people who choose to compete. Patents when applied to software only increase problems. The European Parliament is going to vote on September 1st, 2003 on a new revision to the European patent system. Many people protested today in Brussels against this amendment. If you are in Europe, regardless of what you do, you are directly or indirectly going to be affected if this suggested amendment becomes law. Even the naive and ignorant who support the amendment are going to be affected.
Please protest and have your voice heard.
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