[Esp-action-alert] New Zealand govt against software patents!

[Ciaran O'Riordan]

( Join the discussion at:
  http://news.swpat.org/2010/03/new-zealand-govt-against-software-patents/ )

Thanks to well-informed action from people in New Zealand, the government
has taken a clear position against software patents.  ESP has worked on
documenting this since last May: http://en.swpat.org/wiki/New_Zealand

The government's text, published today, says:

    We recommend amending clause 15 to include computer programs among
    inventions that may not be patented.  We received many submissions
    concerning the patentability of computer programs. Under the Patents Act
    1953 computer programs can be patented in New Zealand provided they
    produce a commercially useful effect.  Open source, or free, software
    has grown in popularity since the 1980s. Protecting software by
    patenting is inconsistent with the open source model, and its proponents
    oppose it.  A number of submitters argued that there is no “inventive
    step” in software development, as “new” software invariably builds on
    existing software.  They felt that computer software should be excluded
    from patent protection as software patents can stifle innovation and
    competition, and can be granted for trivial or existing techniques. In
    general we accept this position.

Full text:
http://legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2008/0235/latest/whole.html#dlm1419043

Help documenting this is always welcome at:
http://en.swpat.org/wiki/New_Zealand

Information about what's happening now about software patents is available
here:

http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Consultations_from_patent_offices,_governments,_and_courts
http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Current_events
http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Israel
http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Australia


-- 
Ciarán O'Riordan,
Executive Director, End Software Patents
+32 487 64 17 54
address@hidden