OSIA backs an end to software patents

The Open Source Industry Australia (OSIA) has lodged a submission with the Australian Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) urging the abolition of Innovation Patents and the exclusion of computer software from patentability altogether.

...According to OSIA chairman, Jack Burton, there is a strong grassroots movement pushing to disallow software patents.

“When the news broke late August that the New Zealand government had just legislated to abolish software patents we were inundated with statements of support from our community… and with queries how we might foster similar progressive steps here in Australia,” Burton said.

In a statement, OSIA said software patents are a global concern and that there is an emerging consensus that these patents are a massive tax on and retardant of innovation.