Document Actions
IBM slammed over patent giveaway
IBM's decision to allow open source developers to freely use hundreds of software patents was criticised as hypocritical by some anti-patent campaigners on Tuesday.
On Monday IBM said it will allow open source developers the royalty-free use of 500 of its 10,000 US patents. However, Florian Mueller, the campaign manager of an anti-patent website, has accused IBM of hypocrisy as it is also lobbying the EU to push through the Computer Implemented Inventions Directive , which many believe would allow software patenting in Europe.
"IBM is just being hypocritical because they want to appease the open source community and make themselves popular," said Mueller.
"In Europe, IBM is a driving force behind the extension of the scope of patentability with respect to software. If IBM wants to assume the role of a post-Christmas benefactor, they'd better stop their aggressive patent lobbying in the EU and their shameless squeezing of small and medium-sized companies with its patent portfolio."
Source: Silicon.com
