[NTLUG:Discuss] Software patentability - might kill Linux

[Chris Cox]

   tr_data1 wrote:
> Wow. I'm totally shocked at the LACK of concern in regards to
> the upcoming decision of the European Council to legalize software
> patentability in Europe, on Tuesday May _18_.  If approved, it 
> "would lead to a situation where big companies with large patent 
> portfolios use these to lock their respective markets and prevent
> competition from innovative SMEs", ... Isn't this what M$ is up to
> right now in the US?
> 

I agree.. this is a very serious issue in Europe right now.
You've probably noticed the front pages of many European
web sites have protest pages (much like many sites did with
the DMCA and the OSS(can't remember the rest)).

Europeans have always boasted their sanity vs. the
USA's insanity with regards to patents, etc... now it
appears they are about to become the worst offender.

The most affected by this is corporate adoption of free
software (and Linux).

But... I'm at a loss... what can we do to help??