JRAMON@uamed.uam.es (03/12/91)
From: CCUAM2::IN%"gnulists@AI.MIT.EDU" 12-MAR-1991 12:06:43.12 To: Multiple recipients of <INFO-GNU@FINHUTC.bitnet> CC: Subj: treaty threatens to make software patents inescapable Return-path: <INFO-GNU@FINHUTC.bitnet> Received: from vm1.uam.es (MAILER@EMDUAM11) by ccuam2.uam.es with PMDF#10294; Tue, 12 Mar 1991 05:35 GMT Received: from SIC.UB.ES by vm1.uam.es (Mailer R2.07) with BSMTP id 8299; Tue, 12 Mar 91 05:33:53 HOE Received: from EB0UB011 by SIC.UB.ES (Mailer R2.07) with BSMTP id 7815; Tue, 12 Mar 91 05:35:44 HOE Date: Sun, 10 Mar 91 16:23:30 -0500 From: gnulists@AI.MIT.EDU Subject: treaty threatens to make software patents inescapable Sender: Gnu information <INFO-GNU@FINHUTC.bitnet> To: Multiple recipients of <INFO-GNU@FINHUTC.bitnet> Reply-to: gnulists@AI.MIT.EDU Message-id: <B47417704000125A@ccuam2.uam.es> X-Envelope-to: JRAMON@uamed.uam.es Comments: Resent-From: gnulists@ai.mit.edu Comments: Originally-From: rms@mole.ai.mit.edu (Richard Stallman) Comments: To: info-gcc@prep.ai.mit.edu, info-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu, info-g++@prep.ai.mit.edu, info-gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu [Please repost this in any other lists, local or netwide, where it would be relevant and helpful. -len ] If the treaty described below is adopted, it will be impossible ever to get rid of software patents. One consequence is that the GNU project will come to an end. Patents will effectively prohibit free software for other than obsolete purposes. Nearly every program will infringe patents, but if it is to be a free program, the option of licensing those patents will not even be a possibility. If you would like to continue having better GNU software to use, or if you would like to be able to continue your own career without the constant danger of being sued, please send mail to league@prep.ai.mit.edu and find out how you can join the League for Programming Freedom. The "Basic Proposal" for Harmonization of U.S. and Worldwide Patent Laws Submitted by WIPO by Edward G. Fiorito On December 21, 1990, WIPO published a "Basic Proposal" draft treaty which will be submitted to a Diplomatic Conference to be held at The Hague June 3--28, 1991. At that Conference the text of the WIPO draft treaty will be finalized and some or all of the participating countries will sign it at this Conference. If it is ratified by the requisite number of countries at that time, the treaty will go into effect in those countries. In the United States, the President must send the treaty to the Senate for consideration and vote. Once the Senate approves, the treaty becomes law and our patent laws will be amended by Congress to comply with the provisions of the treaty. Article 10---Fields of Technology 1. Patent protection shall be available for inventions, whether they concern products or processes, in all fields of technology. (Journal of the Patent and Trademark Office Society, Feb. 1991, pages 83--109.)