Compliance Toolkit

Story: Patent campaigners make government breakthrough

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The patenting of software is not only a bad idea it would prevent many ordinary software engineers from practicing their profession and would put many small companies out of business. The meeting at the DTI may have been a joke but it was a joke in very bad taste. It is clear from the transcript of the meeting published by the DTI that the minister was not able to provide a coherent answer to any of the questions raised at the meeting. He complained at one point that only those who were opposed to his policy had turned up - even though the stated purpose was to allay the fears of the opponents.

Having worked as a computer programmer for the past 45 years I cannot understand why patents are necessary now when they were not applicable during the most innovative period in computing history.

I was particularly shocked by the misleading statements and the lack of knowledge of the people from the Patent Office who clearly have a vested interest in extending their sphere of influence. Why is it in the public interest to put yet more money into the hands of lawyers?

I do not believe that this is a proper way to conduct public business.

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