The Economist: Software patents may stifle innovation

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=S%27%2984%25RQ7%20%20%20%23%5C%0A

I’m glad to see that The Economist clearly acknowledges (subscription required) that software patents are problematic, although I wish they had gone into more detail on the parliament’s amendmends.

Clearly there may be cases where a better digital mousetrap is worthy of a patent. But if software patents are too easy to obtain, they may stifle innovation more than promote it. Europe needs tougher standards governing their approval (and perhaps shorter terms of protection).

Anders Fogh, are you paying attention?