Thank you for communicating your views on the issue of the EU Directive on Software Patenting and apols for delay in replying.

SNP MEPs, with the full support of our whole political group in the European Parliament, have campaigned long and hard against the proposal since it was tabled for first reading in the previous Parliamentary session.

The EP recently formally called upon the Council of Ministers to scrap the idea, and I very much regret that the Council has decided to ignore our democratic input so far.

Please be assured that this will not be the end of the matter - far from it. I am sure that the Directive will face strong opposition in Parliament during the second reading, debate and vote.

Below is the text of a press release which I issued, following the Council of Ministers' decision, which I hope will be reported in the Scottish media. Please feel free to circulate to your contacts if you wish.

Thank you again for bringing your views to my attention.

Ian Hudghton MEP

Monday 7 March 2005

EU MINISTERS' BLOW TO SMALL SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS

SNP European Spokesman Ian Hudghton MEP has criticised European Economics Ministers who today backed controversial new rules on software patents that many fear could have a severely detrimental effect on independent software developers.

There are concern s that the new rules will favour large multinational companies such as Microsoft who have the financial means to exploit the new regime. At present, computer software is subject to copyright legislation in Europe but the new plans would make software patentable.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Ian Hudghton MEP said:

"I've been contacted by a number of constituents who are very concerned about these proposals. I share their concerns and we've been demanding changes to the new rules before they come into force. Today's decision by European ministers is disappointing but at least it means the plans will come back before the European Parliament where they'll face strong opposition.

It's appalling that Ministers chose to favour big multinational companies over small scale businesses who will find it even more difficult to compete if the market is skewed further in favour of the likes of Microsoft. We should be encouraging and supporting the development of high tech creative industries not working against them. These are ill thought out plans that need radical overhaul."

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