COMPUTER CAPERS

Software patents

Slashdot claims that the European patent ‘war’ (their term, not the IPKat’s) is to gather momentum again this winter. It is predicted that, in this bout, the pro-patent lobby will aim their attentions at the judiciary rather than pushing for legislative change.

The IPKat took a look at the blog posting on which Slashdot based its story. One of the pro-patent lobby’s alleged means is to target negotiations concerning the Community patent. The IPKat reckons that, if this is the case, they might have a bit of a wait…


Politics of darkness

Webknow reports that the Swedish Pirate Party has launched its own internet service. The service is a ‘darknet’ under which users remain untraceable. Said the party chairman:

"There are many legitimate reasons to want to be completely anonymous on the Internet…If the government can check everything each citizen does, nobody can keep the government in check. The right to exchange information in private is fundamental to the democratic society. Without a safe and convenient way of accessing the Internet anonymously, this right is rendered null and void".

The Pirate Party was formed at the beginning of the year, and is standing in autumn’s Swedish election. It is standing on a platform of 3 issues: shared culture, free knowledge, and protected privacy. The party claims that privacy and copyright go together since the only way to enforce today’s strong copyright is to keep tabs on internet users.

The IPKat wonders how long this darknet will be able to remain dark.