Articles Related to patenting

Last month, a newswire story crossed my desk which from a PR perspective was about as sharp as a bowling ball. Philips Electronics is patenting technology to prevent people from using their PVRs (Personal Video Recorders) to fast forward commercials. The move is akin to Exxon announcing a new technology which will reduce a car

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reject proposed legislation that critics argued would have allowed the widespread patenting of software in Europe. It has been one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in the history of the European Union (E.U.).

The controversial European software patent directive will not make it to the next step on its long legislative process this year, as increasing political pressure has apparently caused the Council of the European Union to delay its vote on the matter until 2005.

The NoSoftwarePatents (NSP) campaign said that without Poland's backing, those countries that supported the proposal in May now fall short of a qualified majority in the Council of Ministers.

The European Parliament voted in favour of a law that goes some way towards limiting the scope for patents on software programs Wednesday.

With most of the main political parties divided, Wednesday's vote at the European Parliament on a Union-wide law on computer-implemented inventions is expected to be a close call.