A controversial software directive in the EU has been delayed once more. Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Greens/EFA Group, told ElectricNews that "Officially, the council has experienced translation difficulties with the new official languages of the EU. In reality this file is returning to Coreper in order to allow the technical discussions between experts from the member states to continue."
The patent directive, part of the Lisbon agenda, was initially intended to form part of a frame work to make the EU the most competitive economic zone in the world by 2010. Intended to "tidy up" the EU's messy patent laws, the directive has became twisted from its original form. In its previous state, it would have allowed patenting of software and algorithms. Proponents of the directive argue that this is necessary to protect both big and small companies from competitors stealing their IP.
However, many others argue that the directive would stifle competition and cause more problems than it solved. If allowed/enacted, the directive would bring the EU into line with the US where the practise has caused dismay amongst software developers. Amazon's patenting of "one-click" buying is often cited as a good example of why the legislation is a bad idea.
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