On Thursday 24 Mar 2005 6:58 am, Ramanraj K wrote:
The Patents (Amendments) Bill was passed in the Parliament,
after
dropping clauses 3(k) and 3(ka) relating to computer
programs,
restoring the status quo. Computer programs are outside the
purview
of patentability.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=8096
<quote> It is proposed to omit the clarification relating to patenting
of
software related inventions introduced by the Ordinance as
Section
3(k) and 3 (ka). The clarification was objected to on the ground
that
this may give rise to monopoly of multinationals.
</quote>
FSF India lead an active campaign against the Patents
(Amendments)
Ordinance that introduced patentability for embedded software,
under
the leadership of Richard Stallman, Nagarjuna, Arun and others
here.
Holger Blasum, Christian Beauprez, and others at ffii.org made a
big
difference in strengthening the campaign.
Prabir Purkhayasta of Delhi Science Forum and Kiranchandra also helped in lobbying for this. we should also record our thanks to them. And also of course to Ramanraj who drafted our statement after lot of research.
Nagarjuna