Not crypto, but this list has moved out onto IPR issues befo re, so..

[David_Biggins@usermgmt.com]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Julian T. J. Midgley [mailto:jtjm@xenoclast.org]
> In what way does introducing software patents constitute 
> digging oneself
> *out* of a hole?

The EU patent office has for some time been issuing US-style software
and business method patents in violation of its own charter (New
Scientist).  If it can't get retrospective approval for its actions,
there's going to be hell to pay, particularly as most of these 'illegal'
patents have been granted to notoriously litigious US companies.

If it does get it, there may still be hell to pay, since many EU
companies are likely to have to turn equally litigious in order not to
be put out of business...

Now the UK has put down a fairly clear statement that it does not agree
with this, and has been pushing for a unified view in accordance with
current UK practice.  I'm not sure they'll get it.