ESC Report 1031/2002 on the softpatent EC proposition

[Bouthier Christophe <Christophe.Bouthier@loria.fr>]

Hello.

Here 
http://wwwdb.europarl.eu.int/oeil/oeil_ViewDNL.ProcViewByNum?Lang=2&ProcNum=COD/2002/0047
is what seems to be the roadmap for the EC proposition on software
patentability.

Especially interesting is the ESC (Economic and Social Committee)
opinion, that could be found here :
http://www.esc.eu.int/scripts/avis.asp?type=en
(search opinion number 1031).
Unfortunately, it's a .doc file.
As I'm not sure that I have the right to forward it, I don't attach it
with this mail.

This report critisize openly the proposition, and talk about the
free software concerns.
It is recent (18 september 2002).
The aooendix is also interesting. It seems that the lobby was strong
enought to put its voice in, so they let it be in the appendix.


Could someone explain me what is the weight of the ESC and of this paper ?
Thanks a lot.

C.
-- 
By the grace of God Almighty
And the pressures of the marketplace
The human race has civilized itself.
It's a miracle.                      -Roger Waters-Amused to death-