Patent reprieve
Anti-software patent activists and open-source advocates sung Poland's praises last week, as Poland once again declared its non-support for the EU's directive on software patents, and received another postponement from the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The directive was on the Council's agenda as an A-Item on January 24, and was due to pass before Poland requested a second delay. Many say that the text of the directive is unnecessarily complicated and ambiguous. Critics argue that it could allow the granting of patents on so-called 'pure software' or basic software, integral to most programs. According to a statement released by Poland's Office of the Committee for European Integration, "work on Poland's position in this matter has not been completed. Therefore, the representative of Poland ... will ask again for removal of this item and postpone it until the necessary analysis presently being carried out in Poland is completed."
The latest delay allows JURI, the legal affairs committee of the European Parliament, to restart the legislative process on the directive at its meeting in Brussels this week. Starting the process again would allow for a redraft and more debate within the European Parliament. According to the directive's opponents, the chances of a majority of JURI members voting for a restart are good.
The directive was on the Council's agenda as an A-Item on January 24, and was due to pass before Poland requested a second delay. Many say that the text of the directive is unnecessarily complicated and ambiguous. Critics argue that it could allow the granting of patents on so-called 'pure software' or basic software, integral to most programs. According to a statement released by Poland's Office of the Committee for European Integration, "work on Poland's position in this matter has not been completed. Therefore, the representative of Poland ... will ask again for removal of this item and postpone it until the necessary analysis presently being carried out in Poland is completed."
The latest delay allows JURI, the legal affairs committee of the European Parliament, to restart the legislative process on the directive at its meeting in Brussels this week. Starting the process again would allow for a redraft and more debate within the European Parliament. According to the directive's opponents, the chances of a majority of JURI members voting for a restart are good.
