Hi I don't know if this is suitable for this list. However, there have been times in the past when we have discussed software patents at Fosdem.... http://www.computerworlduk.com/toolbox/open- source/blogs/index.cfm?entryid=2721&blogid=14 " However, that does not mean, of course, that the intellectual monopolists have given up: far from it. They have merely shifted their attack, and are now trying to use the proposed European Community Patent to create a backdoor for software patents across Europe: The aim of creating a Community patent is to give inventors the option of obtaining a single patent which is legally valid throughout the European Union. The expected advantages of this system are a substantial reduction in patenting costs (in particular those relating to translation and filing), simplified protection of inventions throughout the territory of the EU thanks to one single procedure, and the establishment of a single centralised system of litigation. The creation of a Community patent system remains a sensitive issue as this dossier is still deadlocked after many years of discussions between the European decision-makers. " I suppose that we might be able to discuss this further when Fosdem is running :) -- Richard