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Simon Phipps's personal commentary

Siezing Air

There's plenty of comment is circulating about both the proposed software patent legislation at the European Parliament and the fact the wave of protest surrounding it has caused euro-legislators to pause [via Dave Winer]. Usually it's me urging my American friends to act to stem a tide of injustice, but this time I have the right and the insight to protest.

The thing is, who to? That's the big problem with Euro-legislation - the process is so unfamiliar. Do I protest to a Commissioner? To my MP? to the UK government? To my MEP (whoever that is)? To a representative on the huge committee (which one? all their party affilliations are unfamiliar)? One can't help feeling it's all been made as complex as possible so as to prevent too much citizen comment at this stage. Yet if we let this terrible legislative step be taken now, when it comes time for each member state to ratify and enforce (the time such dross is usually noticed), it will be too late. Really, it feels like trying to sieze an air pocket.

posted at 10:03 PM (UK) | |