[Openstandaarden] Software Patents: Demonstration in Strasbourg (Tue 5th July)

[Henrion Benjamin]

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       Software Patents: Demonstration in Strasbourg (Tue 5th July)
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Brussels, 28 June. The European Parliament will vote on next wednesday 6th July
on the software patents directive. If the Parliament does not succeed in
reaching 367 votes for the key amendments, software patents will be a reality
in Europe.

Many associations of small software players from all over Europe are calling
for a demonstration in Strasbourg the day before the vote, to warn MEPs that
this directive is a direct danger to the freedom to develop software. As a
representative of a UK software company Stuart Ritchie points out: "SMEs simply
cannot afford to defend or enforce patents. We don't need patent monopoly, we
just need freedom to develop our business without the danger of software
patents hanging over us".

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Meeting

  Most Members of the European Parliament will enter the building at 8:30 am,
  so it is important to be present at *8:00 am*.

  A walking demonstration is planned in the streets of Strasbourg starting at
  11:00 and ending at 13:00.

  A giant screen will be installed somewhere outside the Parliament so as to
  follow the debate of the afternoon.

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Coaches

  Coaches from all over Europe are planned (Paris, Munich, Amsterdam,
  Luxembourg), more infos and booking at:

  http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/StbDemoCoaches

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Contacts

  Organisator: Henrion Benjamin <bh at udev.org> +32-484-566109 (FR/EN)

  Assistant: Nicostrate Bruno <brunonicostrate at yahoo.fr> +32-485-565387 (FR/EN)

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Info

  http://wiki.noepatents.eu.org/index.php/StbDemo050604

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