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Euro software patent spat re-starts

Vole scampering in the €urolobbies

By INQUIRER staff: Tuesday 11 July 2006, 11:28

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32947

SOFTWARE PATENT campaigner Florian Mueller said the dispute over patent policy is set for a replay starting tomorrow.
Mueller spearheaded a successful campaign that ended when the European Parliament voted down a software patent directive a year ago.

But, he said, the European Commission will hold a public hearing on the future of the Euro patent system in Brussels tomorrow.

Now, however, a proposal to introduce a European Patent Court to adjudicate over the European Patent Litigation Agreement (EPLA) is the bone of contention.

Mueller and the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure will attack the EPLA, facing down Microsoft, Nokia and other multinationals.

Mueller claims that EU internal market commissioner Charles McCreevy is "determined to back the EPLA," while "Microsoft and the other usual suspects" have been busy lobbying members of the Euro parliament.

Mueller claims that the EPLA will have "far worse consequences" that the rejected patent directive. Patent holders will be encouraged to litigate, while the cost of litigation will go through the roof. µ