Greens welcome EU climb-down on software patents
"A victory for small business"
NEWS RELEASE EU Trade Ministers have dropped a controversial bill which would have allowed software to be patented from a Competitiveness Council agenda tomorrow.
MEPs welcomed the decision, which they say represents a last-minute 'stay of execution' for the IT industry.
London Euro-MP Jean Lambert, whose constituency boasts one of the largest numbers of small IT businesses in the EU, said the Competitiveness Council's decision to re-open the debate on software patenting was excellent news for the IT sector, small businesses - and the democratic accountability of the EU.
She said: "The ministers' decision to pass the directive back to member states for further debate is a victory both for small business and the Parliament."
The climb-down came in the face of a surge of public pressure against the proposals, with small businesses and programmers warning software patents could push them out of business.
Mrs Lambert, a member of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said: "Public pressure has prevailed - at least in the short term - and it is crucial that opponents of software patenting maintain the pressure.
"Officially, the Council has experienced translation difficulties with the new official languages of the EU. In reality this file is returning to the Committee of member states' permanent EU representatives to allow technical discussions between experts to continue."
"I am pleased that the Parliament's position, which wanted to limit patents to technical inventions, is now also defended by the Council. Its previous so-called 'compromise' proposal made a mockery of the Parliament's position and opened the door to software patents - and consequently, to the control of the EU's economy by a small number of multinationals."
23rd Sep 2004
UK to remain 'Europe's sweatshop' under EU 'fudge'
"The worst excesses of UK labour practices are set to be exported across the union"
The 1993 Working Time Directive was intended to provide basic protection for most workers except managers. It gives workers the right to a daily rest period of 11 hours, breaks during working hours, a maximum 48 hour working week and 4 weeks minimum annual holiday.
The UK under Margaret Thatcher negotiated a general opt-out, which allowed any employee to voluntarily waive their right to a 48 hour week.
23rd Sep 2004 ENDS
Note to Editors Copies of Jean's recent report 'Flexible Working: A Work-Life Balance or a Balancing Act' is available on request from Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk