Brussels shouldn't push through software patents, Dutch parliament said Thursday

Posted by hkwint on Mar 4, 2005 7:34 AM EDT
nu.nl; Brussel moet softwarepatent niet doordrukken
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Translation of the article: THE HAGUE - The Dutch Parliament doesn't agree with the European Commission, who wants to push through a directive about software patents. A motion by a member of parliament, Örgü (VVD party, liberals), which insists on the withdrawal of the directive, was adopted unanimous on thursday.

(Original dutch story)

For years, there have been arguments about the directive between the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. Opponents of the directive fear much innovative companies will be harmed in comparison to big multinational companies.

Again

The European Commission refused the request of the Europarliament to restart the whole procedure, after the elections and the entrance of ten new countries to the EU.

Agreement

Eurocommissioner McCreevy thursday explained again why he doesn't want to restart the whole procedure. He insists the European council makes a decision. That decision has been postponed for many times. In may, a political agreement was reached, that normally would have been adopted by the council as a voting without discussion.

Chaos

Next week, a new attempt will be made. If the Netherlands or another country vote against, the matter will be stuck again. "That will be a chaos", states McCreevy, though he says it's a problem for the ministers, and not his.

Diplomats pointed out the rejection of an earlier adopted political agreement will have big consequences. "If you can breach an agreement, than what is the value of it?" according to a source.

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