As the lobby for software patents in Europe intensifies, we identify and dissect the culprits. EUROPE is under attack at the moment. Lobbyists of firms like Microsoft - and in particular ACT - are trying to legalise software patents, thus marginalise Free software, and the Commission is not particularly helpful; it's almost playing along with the lobby, or playing right into its hands.

Microsoft, Nokia, IBM, GE, Siemens, SAP, Philips and several other massive companies are largely responsible for Europe's trouble with monopolies on algorithms

How S.u.S.E. turned from an opposer of software patents into an extension of Novell which legitimises them in Germany (where software patents continue to challenge Europe's status quo)

Canonical, the EU-based company which produces the "Ubuntu" GNU/Linux distribution, joins the Open Invention Network just as the "EU patent" seemingly collapses

Europe's software patents cartel is rearmed. Another look at the TomTom/FAT case, GE's new role in Europe, and growing opposition to software patents

New signs that attempts are being made to legalise software patent without ever debating the subject

Various fronts, some of which associated/funded by Microsoft, are pushing for software patents in Europe using at least two back doors (harmonisation; Community Patent).

Software patents apparently encounter new barriers in the USPTO, whereas in Europe there is a reversal which seems to contradict EPO rules

The debate over patents in Europe is starting to heat up again, just shortly after the patent maximalists got defeated; Sir Tim Berners-Lee explains his opposition to (F)RAND, in addition to software patents