Hi Folks,

This morning's "You and Yours" on Radio 4 had quite an interesting item on the US "patent piracy" scam, and the considerations which the EU are applying to the issue. Though not primarily about software patenting, this topic did come up. What was interesting was the indication that the EU is considering applying more of a "real technological invention needed" criterion as compared with the US practice whereby a firm can apparently slap a patent on anything provided only that no-one has thought of doing that before. While US lawyers do seem to regard this as a joke, none the less the lack of proper investigation by the Patent Authorities means that it happens, with the result that it's simply not possible in the US for people without million-dollar funding to fight a patent and it's more in their interests to accept a costly but affordable licensing agreement with the "patent" holder.

The program is not yet up for "Listen Again", but should be by tomorrow. Visit

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/

Best wishes tgo all, Ted.

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