Re: [Patents] pooling patents, version 2

[Peter Vandenabeele <peter.vandenabeele@mind.be>]

On Sun, Jan 05, 2003 at 05:23:47PM +0100, Simo Sorce wrote:
> On Sun, 2003-01-05 at 16:47, Xavi Drudis Ferran wrote:
> > El Sat, Jan 04, 2003 at 02:36:17AM +0100, Simo Sorce deia:
> > > 
> > > You are not required to be aware of infringing some obscure patent to be
> > > prosecuted.
> > >
> > 
> > Yes and no. IANAL, but if what if I understodd well what I read, in
> > Spain they can't sue you until they show you knew the patent was
> > granted and registered. This only requires them to send you a
> > certified letter. If after getting the letter you continue they can
> > sue you. So beign aware plays some role. But this is still no
> > consolation.  They can stop you from doing what you were doing just at
> > the worst moment. Or they can go after your customers, or whatever.
> > It's like a mafia movie, you either pay, emigrate, or get trouble. 
> 
> Exactly what I meant.
> Do you feel you will invest your time and money in software in future,
> if you are under this threat ?
> 
> Only if you are a really big player with really big money and well payed
> lawyers you may risk that.
> 
> Patents in software is the death of SMEs and given the fact that SMEs
> are very important in italy (and Europe too) I fear the complete
> annihilation of our software production industry. That would mean total
> subjugation of Europe to USA for what regards software development.

This is +/- how I feel indeed ...  but let's not give up yet

Peter

> Simo.