The fantastic EU democracy when it's working best

...or NOT: 2004-12-13 EU Council Presidency Schedules Software Patent Directive for Adoption at Fishery Meeting. Quote:

Coreper diplomats will decide on Tuesday and Wednesday whether the European Software Patents Agreement will be passed by the upcoming Fishery or Environment Council meetings, the last ones of this year. Contrary to recent information given by the Belgian government, the Dutch Presidency is apparently still trying to push through the text from last May as an A-item, i.e. without discussion and without vote. The published justifications for throwing away all of the European Parliament's substantial amendments range from the longtime debunked (TRIPs requires software patents) to the downright absurd (politicians should not change established practice).

So, now that they don't have the majority of votes, they'll simply continue with their proposal without voting - what are the pro software patent lobby paying these people?!

NoSoftwarePatents.com: All groups in German parliament united against swpats

It looks like the resistance against software patents is growing: All groups in German parliament united against swpats. There's still hope...

Vendors: Stop threatening us

Interesting opinion/article: Vendors: Stop threatening us. Threat's aren't the best sales pitch - here's a quote: "We can obtain plenary indulgence, the old concept of immunity from intellectual property damnation, by purchasing operating systems from Microsoft, Sun, HP, Novell, and/or Red Hat, or so the stories go. Ptui, I say. If you've got patents, play that card, and play it now. We're sick, mighty sick, of listening to it. Tell us, chapter and verse, what you think is the problem. Do it now. Stop the threats - go in to action. We're the customers, remember? Stop harassing us with vague threats."

Arstechnica: From honeypot to bot in minutes

How important is it to keep your machine updated? Read this and I think you'll see that it's quite important...