Protesters go bananas over EU patent plan

The debate gets lively when it comes to the value of software patents. In Brussels, opponents worry that a directive could turn Europe into a banana republic.

Europe's patent proposal pending

European Parliament says software patent proposal must be rewritten. Whether European Commission will listen is another matter.
February 18, 2005

Patent protesters: 'Innovation--yes! Litigation--no!'

About 300 people march through the streets of Brussels to show their disapproval of a proposed law on software patents.
February 18, 2005

Photos: Patent protesters take to the streets

Foes of patents carry signs with slogans like "No banana republic? No software patents." A few bananas help hammer the point home.
February 18, 2005

previous coverage

HP: Don't like software patents? Learn to deal

Boycotting the patent system means "leaving oneself exposed for absolutely no good reason," says Hewlett-Packard's top Linux executive.
February 15, 2005

Microsoft denies threatening Denmark over patents

Company denies threatening to take jobs away from Denmark if the Danish government opposes an EU directive involving software patents.
February 15, 2005

Bill Gates and other communists

Free Software Foundation president Richard Stallman says Microsoft's chairman is blurring the discussion about software patents.
February 15, 2005