OT...GIMP...soon to be gone?

[Helen]

Clicking on the site from PW...to GIMP, here's what I get: (anyone know
anything else)?
_________________
Due to the directive validating Software Patents that will be voted this 1st
of September at the European Parliament, we have decided to protest. Please
close your websites too!

We support the real demonstration that took place in Brussels on Wednesday,
the 27th of August. The rally started around noon in front of the European
Parliament and was followed by a press conference inside the Parliament. If
you were near Brussels, you had to be there!

Update: the vote on the new directive has been delayed until the end of
September. Now we should convince the Members of the European Parliement to
change it. It is very important to show them that we are well informed. Show
that we are worth listening to. If you live in Europe, take the time to read
some of the relevant articles and write to your MEPs now! If you live in the
U.S., try to support the proposals to reform the U.S. patent system.
Everybody will be affected, directly or indirectly. So act now!

Please join the online demonstrations against software patents. After doing
that, you may proceed to the GIMP website... But keep in mind that the site
and the program could disappear forever because of software patents.



A large number of active GIMP developers are living and working in Europe.
The proposed changes to the European laws would put these developers at risk
of being sued or threatened by companies who may hold patents that have been
harmless so far (and unknown to the developers). Software patents are too
easy to get and impede innovation instead of promoting it. You can read why
in this well-written critique. Several studies have shown that software
patents are bad for the economy in general, and could be a disaster for Free
Software.
_______________________________
This is a copy from the GIMP site.
31 August 2003 4:29 EST , USA
Helen

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

Clicking on the site from PW...to GIMP, here's what I get: (anyone know
anything else)?

Yes, it should be of interest to all freeware users to prevent these BSA
bullshit. *Go* to your local / european congressman and force them to
vote against these patent law! Writing an email is *not* enough!

Bernd

 

[Henk de Jong]

_________________
Due to the directive validating Software Patents that will be voted
this 1st of September at the European Parliament, we have decided to
protest. Please close your websites too!

<snipped>

Not only this is a problem and a possible thread to freeware and open
source software, but you also might like to read this:

http://freewarearena.org/PHPNuke/modules.php?
name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=14 (link may wrap)

But also:
From an 'insider' I heard that the 'great' software companies like to
have money for the use of the by them produced (and copyrighted) support-
DLL's, OCX's, DRV's and so on. He also mentioned to me that this could
not only be a problem for Windows-based programs, but maybe also Linux-
based programs can be involved.....

With kind regards,
--
Henk de Jong
The Netherlands
(e-mail address removed) (remove NOSPAM)
"Links to Freeware" http://home.hccnet.nl/hmdejong/ or
http://linkstofreeware.vze.com/

 

[DC]

Yes, it should be of interest to all freeware users to prevent these BSA
bullshit. *Go* to your local / european congressman and force them to
vote against these patent law! Writing an email is *not* enough!

B-b-but, I don't *have* a european congressman?!!! WTF? Does that mean
that my european vacation is off? }:O(

 

[Henk de Jong]

B-b-but, I don't *have* a european congressman?!!! WTF? Does that
mean that my european vacation is off? }:O(

That depends:
- what are you coming to do here?
- where are you staying?
- how long are you staying there?
- are you planning to visit more places and stay there?
- provide us with the exact adresses and phone numbers of the places
where you are going to stay?
- do you bring any weapons?
- to whom will you be talking here?
- what are you spending during your vacation?
and so on...

)

Have a nice vacation over here...
You'll love it...

With kind regards,
--
Henk de Jong
The Netherlands
(e-mail address removed) (remove NOSPAM)
"Links to Freeware" http://home.hccnet.nl/hmdejong/ or
http://linkstofreeware.vze.com/

 

[DC]

Have a nice vacation over here...
You'll love it...

- Excuse me, sir. Do you have papers?

- Sure, mate. Want me to roll that for you?

};O)

 

[Henk de Jong]

- Excuse me, sir. Do you have papers?

Stupid. Forgot this one. Sorry. But..eh.. Do you have those papers?
You'll need papers over here, you know.. A *lot* of papers...

- Sure, mate. Want me to roll that for you?

Yeah, why not? OK, start rock and rolling...

(Could become a new hit over here: "Roll over Europe")

With kind regards,
--
Henk de Jong
The Netherlands
(e-mail address removed) (remove NOSPAM)
"Links to Freeware" http://home.hccnet.nl/hmdejong/ or
http://linkstofreeware.vze.com/

 

[JanC]

We support the real demonstration that took place in Brussels on
Wednesday, the 27th of August. The rally started around noon in front
of the European Parliament and was followed by a press conference
inside the Parliament. If you were near Brussels, you had to be there!

I *was* there. ;-)

 

[Bernd Schmitt]

I *was* there. ;-)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

 

[Helen]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

I 2d that. I appreciate your actions on this. Thanks.