While the US is embroiled in a mess of software patent litigation, Europe has largely avoided the problem because of
different patent law. It is now beginning to look as though Europe might be able to steer clear of it altogether, as
Germany has decided to vote against any changes to current software patent laws. Germany's decision flies in the face of
the European Commission (the same body which levied the 500 million fine against Microsoft), which wants to rewrite
European patent law to allow for patents of software features for the first time in Europe. In a statement given to
demonstrators in Germany, Federal Department of Justice Minsterial Director Elmar Hucko read the riot act to the EC:
"Under no circumstances do we want American procedures in Europe, Hucko vowed with regard to the US patent process. A
patent must be "a fair reward for a bona fide invention and not abused as a strategy to bludgeon competitors."
...
<http://arstechnica.com/news/posts/1084553492.html>
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