SNP welcomes rejection of software patents

Following the Eurooean Parliament's rejection of Software Patents this morning [Wednesday] Ian Hudghton MEP has described the vote as 'A victory for European democracy.'

SNP European spokesperson Ian Hudghton MEP has today (Wednesday) welcomed a European Parliament vote to reject proposals to introduce EU- wide software patents. The SNP has spent the last four years campaigning against the Commission's proposals which would have had dire consequences on many computer programmers and technological companies across Scotland and throughout Europe.

Commenting after the vote, Mr Hudghton said:

"The European Parliament's decision to reject the proposals for software patents will be welcomed across Scotland and the EU. My mailbag has been full in recent months with letters from concerned constituents who had real reasons to fear the Commission's proposals. These people can now feel relief that common sense has prevailed.

"Today's vote was a victory for European democracy. The Commission had sought to ignore the European Parliament's concerns - and paid the heaviest price with their proposals being rejected in their entirety. The European Parliament has stood strong against the Commission and the multinational computer conglomorates - and have won the day.

"Tributes must go to the countless individuals and small companies who have maintained the pressure throughout the lengthy debate. I also pay tribute to my former parliamentary colleague Prof Neil MacCormick who campaigned tirelessly on this issue. The path is now clear for Europe's innovative programming community to continue from strength to strength in the years to come."