Re: [registrars] Domain name related patents and patent applications

["Paul M. Kane" <Paul.Kane@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Whilst many European Registrars seem silent, some of us are having
limited success in getting the EU law makers to start thinking and
reject granting software-related patents:
http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe/78858-509?204&OIDN=1506085&-tt=ME

I urge all Registrars with presence in Europe to contact their "local"
MEP, and Commission Officials and make sure their voice is heard,
failure to do so will almost certainly impact their business.  It also
may help US Registrars as it demonstrates software-related patents are
unworkable.

Best

Paul

Brief news:
The vote is now scheduled for the next plenary session between 22 and 26
September. The Directive on the Patentability of Computer-Implemented
Inventions, drafted by MEP Arlene McCarthy (PES), has elicited
opposition from the Greens and the European Socialists, among others
(see also EurActiv 29 August 2003
<http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe/813521-759?714&1015=7&1014=p29083e>). 

Opponents argue that the new directive would institute a US-style patent
regime, under which large companies can acquire unlimited software
patents which can protect them from upstart competition. They say that
the directive would have "serious detrimental effects on European
innovation, growth and competitiveness". The Commission's original aim
with the directive was to clarify EU-wide patenting rules as Member
States currently have diverse criteria for accepting the validity of
software-related patents.

Rick Wesson wrote:

> On Fri, 5 Sep 2003, Jim Archer wrote:
>
>  
>
> > What is going to happen when someday ICANN decided to dictate that we all
> > have to do something someone else has a patent on?
> >    
> It is called IDN and the folks that purchaed the Walid assets are sueing
> VGRS over IDN right now, your next ;-)
>
> -rick
>
>
>
>