Richard Stallman zu Softwarepatenten in Europa

Richard Stallman kommentiert im Guardian die Situation rund um Softwarepatente in Europa: Soft sell

So, did consumers and programmers win anything? Yes – time, but not much.

The directive on „computer-implemented inventions“ is dead but software patents in Europe are not. We have not defeated the pro-patent forces, only driven them off. They decided to avoid a showdown at that time and place, but that does not mean they have given up. We do not know when or how they will be back, but we must not assume they will use the same methods or that we have years to prepare.

This battle has implications far beyond the software field. Our years-long fight has shown how undemocratic the EU is. It is a system in which bureaucrats can make decisions that, practically speaking, the public can never reverse.