[ILUG] Free Speech Rights For Software Authors

[Eamon O'Tuathail]

Campaign Against Censorship via Software Patents In Ireland

Dear Irish Software Authors,

One invents a better mouse-trap. One discovers a new drug. One writes
software. 

Only inventions and discoveries should be patentable. Writing software is a
modern form of expressing ideas in writing. Much like painters working on a
canvas, book authors working on novels, composers working on musical scores,
and so on, software authors use their creative talents for expressions of
their art-form by writing software. In the modern world, all types of
creative people - painters, book authors, composers and software authors –
are using computers as tools to help them create expressions of ideas.
Others enjoy these expressions on computer too - reading eBooks, browsing
the web, listening to online music and interacting with software.

The existing European Patent Convention expressly states that software
cannot be patented (Article 52). A recent attempt to legalise software
patents within Europe was soundly defeated in the European Parliament in
September, 2003. This result was mainly due to a huge number of managers and
employees of Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), individuals and
academics contacting their MEPs to express their democratic desire to
maintain free speech rights for software authors - including the freedom to
create software writings on any subject matter, without having to worry
about modern censorship in the form of software patents. 

Much to the shame of the Irish software community, a fresh attempt is
currently being made to legalise software patents within Europe, this time
spear-headed by the Irish Government. As our success last year proved, if
enough ordinary people contact politicians, they do listen. Therefore, Irish
software authors are asked to inform local politicians of our strong desire
to see that the decisions of the European Parliament in relation to banning
software patents be maintained and strictly enforced. 

Specifically, within the next few days (the critical vote is on 17/18 May),
you are asked to:

• Write to Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade &
Employment, Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, 23 Kildare Street,
Dublin 2 and ask her to vote against software patents at all EU meetings 

• Write to each of the TDs in your local constituency, asking them to raise
this matter in the Dáil. In particular, they should ask why the democratic
wishes of Europeans, as expressed in the European Parliament in September
2003, are not being fully respected by some in Ireland 

• Spread the word among any networks of software authors of which you are a
member - such as a local trade association, your own customer base, alma
mater contacts, mailing lists etc. - and ask all to clearly express to local
politicians their preference for free speech and dislike for software
patents 

If Irish software authors do not actively defend our right to Free Speech,
then we should not be surprised when it disappears. 

With regards, 

Éamon Ó Tuathail
Tel: 01-2350424
mailto:eamon.otuathail at clipcode.biz
http://www.clipcode.biz