Denmark joins Poland's software patent picket

But only 'til the elections

By Lucy Sherriff • Get more from this author

Posted in Developer, 1st February 2005 09:49 GMT

Denmark is to join Poland in opposition to the EU directive on software patents, according to reports.

Poland has blocked the formal adoption of the common position twice already, but the vote on the controversial directive is likely to be put back on the agenda of the next round of Council meetings as an A-item. This would see the directive go on to its second reading with no further discussion.

Denmark now says it will also oppose such a move, prior to the country's elections on 8 February, according to Groklaw.

Groklaw has a translated snippet of the Danish report: "The question of software patents was on the agenda during the meeting of the European subcommittee Friday, where minister of foreign affairs Per Stig Møller insured [sic] that Denmark will block acceptance of the directive prior to the Danish Parliament election."

Denmark is understood to be a soft opponent of the directive. During the council meeting in May, which saw the Irish presidency's draft become the informal common position, Denmark expressed reservations about the draft, but voted in its favour.

Don't read too much into the Danes' renewed opposition to the directive, just yet. It is possible that the government is limiting EU activity in the run-up to the election, or it might be trying to score political points at home. Either way, its opposition will mean further delay for the final vote on formal adoption of the common position on software patents.

The JURI committee, responsible for legal affairs, will meet on 2 February to decide whether or not to restart the whole process. ®