[Fsf-friends] [Fwd: Re: [Fsf-tn] Kopete is closed for patent infringement]

[Ramanraj K]

  -------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Fsf-tn] Kopete is closed for patent infringement
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 06:42:15 +0530
From: Ramanraj K <ramanraj.k@gmail.com>
To: Joe Steeve <joe_steeve@gmx.net>
CC: GLUG Madurai <glug-madurai-discuss@lists.sourceforge.net>, GLUGOT 
<glugot@tce.edu>, SREC LUG <srec-lug@yahoogroups.com>, KEC Linux User 
Group <klug@mail.kongu.edu>, FSF Tamil Nadu <fsf-tn@gnu.org.in>, SonaLUG 
<sonalug@yahoogroups.com>
References: <8764yr8y15.fsf@deck8.enterprise>

Joe Steeve wrote:

>THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING!
>
>Kopete, the famous KDE messenger is closed for patent
>infringement. 
>
>The patents that affect Kopete are:
>(0) Patent 6449344, granted to ICQ. The patent covers
>anything resembling a network that lets multiple IM
>users see when other people are present and the
>communicate with them
>(1) iKimbo (www.ikimbo.com) received a patent on a
>method for inviting people to join "communities" which
>include chat or instant messaging systems.
>(2) Microsoft received a patent on "Activity
>Monitoring" for Instant Messaging systems. This patent
>would seem to cover the MSN Messenger messages that
>say: "Sally is typing now..."
>
>See http://www.kopete.org/ 
>
It is time India filed a complaint in the WTO against the illegitimate 
and illegal practice of "software patents" that impose trade barriers in 
contravention and violation of TRIPs Agreement, seeking the issue of 
directions to US, Japan and others to update their laws in accordance 
with TRIPs.  The inhuman, humiliating and dastardly harassment of 
software developers through patent infringement suits is condemnable, 
and this should halt.  The means of  criminal prosecution of those who 
practice "software patents" should also be explored.  Computing rights 
are a fundamental right, where each exercise is well protected by 
copyright, and any unreasonable restriction through "software patents" 
is a serious violation of human rights, and probably people who are 
responsible for the practice should be strictly dealt with in accordance 
with international law, the same way "war criminals" are dealt with.