European Parliament Rejects Software Patent Law

The European Parliament rejected a proposed software patent law, disappointing large technology companies like Nokia, Siemens, and Philips. The legislation aimed to provide E.U.-wide patent protection for computerized inventions, but opponents argued it would stifle innovation and give large corporations an unfair advantage over small companies. Industry groups expressed disappointment, but open-source advocates saw the rejection as a victory for their cause.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed software patent law was rejected by the European Parliament, despite efforts by large companies like Nokia, Siemens, and Philips to pass it.
• The law aimed to provide E.U.-wide patent protection for computerized inventions, but opponents argued it would hurt small companies and stifle innovation.
• Industry groups like Eicta and CompTIA expressed disappointment at the rejection, but open-source advocates saw it as a victory for their cause.
• The vote was seen as a symbol of the European Parliament's determination to assert its power against the European Commission and national governments.
• The rejection of the law is part of a broader trend of Europe's governments rejecting E.U.-wide plans to revive the continent's ailing economies.
• France and the Netherlands recently rejected a proposed European constitution, and the software patent law was seen as another EU-wide plan that was met with resistance.
• The European Parliament's president, Michel Rocard, argued that the rejection of the law was a reflection of the "democratic deficit" in Europe and the anger towards the European Commission and Council.

Statistics:

• 32% of the European Parliament's members are represented by Eicta, a group that opposed the software patent law (Source: Eicta website).
• The European Parliament has rejected several EU-wide plans in recent months, including a proposed European constitution and a plan to spend more on research and development (Source: European Parliament website).
• The proposed software patent law was supported by 556 members of the European Parliament, while 517 opposed it (Source: European Parliament website).
• The European Commission has been criticized for its handling of the software patent law, with some arguing that it was influenced by Microsoft (Source: William Echikson, Dow Jones Newswires).

Sources:

• (Dow Jones Commodities News Select via Comtex)
• Eicta website
• European Parliament website
• William Echikson, Dow Jones Newswires