From kodama@netcourrier.com  Mon May  7 08:43:36 2001
From: kodama@netcourrier.com (kodama@netcourrier.com)
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001 09:43:36 +0200 (MET DST)
Subject: [Patents] SMEs' awareness
Message-ID: <mnet2.989221416.13069.kodama@netcourrier.com>

Ronald J Riley wrote:
> And if you do not want patents on software in Europe that is fine by me =
(note
> that I am not pursuing software patents myself).  For that means that Am=
erican
> businesses will have an advantage over those who do not have such patent=
 rights
> , in that they will have to pay tribute to the American inventors who do=
 have
> those patents when selling in the US.

> Not at all. They can still file patents in the US...

> We will see which of the system will generate more wealth in the > long

That is true...in theory.

But in practice, this will increase the gap between US and Europe, because=
 most people, in Europe, and especially SMEs which havent the costly advic=
es of attorneys keep in mind that =22software is not patentable=22.

The main effect of all these movements against patentabilty of software ha=
rms european SMEs, and has really really little effect for bigger companie=
s (american or european, in practice there are almost no differences).

Well, ok this is a side effect... but I believe it really damageable for t=
he short/mid term.

S. C. =


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