Digital Majority

1246642471|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — The Bilski test was invented by IBM: By reading the Amicus Brief of IBM to the CAFC, it is pretty clear that the machine tranformation test which allows software patents and ban business method patents was invented by IBM lawyers. (Comments: 0)

1245674081|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — USPTO refuses to disclose Bilski's pending patent application: The US Supreme Court will soon hear Bilski on why software and business method patents are so good for the US economy. I was trying to find out where the Bilski's pending patent application was published, and I ended up writing to the new USPTO President and ex-IBM David Kappos. I finally got an answer from a USPTO official that the Bilski's pending patent application cannot be seen by the public. (Comments: 0)

1244544547|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — Patent expert Alison Crofts says EPLA is pushed by pro-software patents lobby: In its edition of IP Value 2007, the Intellectual Asset Magazine (IAM) was publishing an article about the Reform of European Patent System, where an expert mentions that the push for the EPLA is coming from the pro-software patents lobby. (Comments: 0)

1244147053|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — European Patent Office refuses spanish amicus brief against software patents: Alberto Barrionuevo, CEO of the small spanish software company OpenTIA and ex-president of the FFII, had submitted an amicus brief to the Enlarged Board of Appeal in spanish. The European Patent Office has notified him that they are refusing his letter because it was not written in one of the 3 official languages of the EPO. (Comments: 0)

1242135050|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — European Commission pushes for software patents via a trusted court: The European Commission is pushing for software patents via a centralised trusted patent court that would be created with the United Patent Litigation System (UPLS), an international treaty that would remove national courts. This court system would be shielded against any review by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Thus patent judges would have the last word on software patents. (Comments: 5)

1240399523|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — Conference on "Make software patents work for SMEs": The European Commission is organising a conference dedicated to "Make IPR work for SMEs" next Monday in Brussels. You can here submit your questions for next Monday on how to "Make software patents work for SMEs". (Comments: 2)

1240230341|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — Stallman: "The EPO is a corrupt and malicious organisation which should not exist": Last Wednesday, farmers and software developers were demonstrating in Munich in front of the European Patent Office. Richard Stallman was describing the European Patent Office as a "corrupt and malicious organisation which should not exist". (Comments: 0)

1239751672|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — The ACTA draft treaty is covering patent infringement: Wikileaks has published some drafts of the secret ACTA treaty, which aims to give better guns to Patent Trolls. The draft mentions that it covers all the rights covered by TRIPS, so it will cover also patents. (Comments: 2)

1239532365|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — Secret European Union mandate to negotiate ACTA leaked: fears confirmed: The secret European Union mandate to negotiate the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was leaked. Member of the European Parliament Jens Holms said the document has confirmed his fears. (Comments: 1)

1239036951|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — Call the Obama administration and ask for your copy of ACTA now!: The Obama administration wants to be called about the status of negotiations of ACTA. Call the Obama administration and ask for your copy of ACTA now! (Comments: 2)

1238581288|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — FFII and EPO announce "Binaries-As-Prior-Art": After years of confidential work, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) today announce a radical way to improve software patent quality: Binaries-As-Prior-Art, or BAPA. BAPA combines a database of billions of compiled computer programs ("binaries") with a powerful Cloud search engine that can find any invention in microseconds. (Comments: 0)

1238160980|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z — The Conspiracy of Silence: The greatest threat to the global movement to abolish software patents is not the patent trolls or legacy businesses, but the conspiracy of silence from those on "our side" of the debate. (Comments: 4)