India Setting Up Software Patents.
Submitted by Taran on Tue, 12/28/2004 - 08:53
I honestly didn't see this one coming - Patents edict likely next week [India].
Given the amount of software which is developed in India, this is certainly significant. Also significant in the article is:
...Developing country members of the World Trade Organisation, including India, have committed to the introduction of a product patents regime by January 1, 2005...
In other words, the World Trade Organization plays a central role here - much like it has with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights [TRIPs].
On the surface, this does not look like a good thing for Free Software and Open Source, and it's bothersome because India probably has more effect on software at this time than any other single nation. Disturbing.
The effects of software patents in India on ICT is troubling. How will this help the developing world become developed - aside from India?
Time will tell, but this is cold and prickly right now.
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