What is Going on in the Czech Republic?

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2009-03-07 11:48:05 UTC
Modified: 2009-03-07 11:48:05 UTC

National Microsoft Lobby?

Czech Republic and EU flags

Summary: Czech governance plays a role in promoting the back door to software patents in Europe

YESTERDAY we wrote about mysterious moves in the Czech Republic, whose presidency is sponsored by Microsoft. We've already shown this presidency peddling Microsoft Office, not to mention its role in helping OOXML. Now it's promoting a back door to software patents in Europe.

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra, responsible for EU affairs, has pledged to work towards devising an EU-wide Community patent. Describing the existing system as "fragmented and inefficient," he said Europe's intellectual property infrastructure is stifling innovation and holding back progress on the Lisbon Agenda.

Is a lobby paid for by Microsoft using the Microsoft-sponsored Czech presidency to ram through software patents into the EU? Microsoft is currently suing a European company (TomTom) over software patents which it claims are infringed on by Linux (or just its FAT part). ⬆

"They [EPO examiners] claim that the organisation is decentralising and focusing on granting as many patents as possible to gain financially from fees generated." —Expatica, European Patent Office staff on strike

Comments

Roy Bixler

2009-03-07 22:57:19

One of Klaus' positions is as a skeptic of the European Union, on the grounds that it's a "failed institution" which "reduces Czech sovereignty." He is also a strong believer in free markets and Adam Smith's "invisible hand." On the other hand, he is apparently against sovereignty of countries when it comes to awarding patents and doesn't see any conflict between patents and the free market. He has some other rather curious positions as well.

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What is Going on in the Czech Republic?

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