Guy Baruch wrote:
Patents, on the other hand, can (and often do) directly affect SW, and especially _new_ SW (as opposed with ripped copies of *.exe or *.wav )
There is one more kind of IP crippling that affects software, even more than patents: DMCA's anti-circumvention clauses. I could reluctantly live with the need to pay royalities for running certain algorithms but I don't want to go to prison for even documenting them! What are the chances of such things getting into Israel?
Unless people do something about it the chances are very high.
The WTO has inserted an obligation to introduce DMCA-like provisions to local state law into several international treates that governs the subject of copyright in international context (WEPA and related treaties). Israel is (or plans to be) a side to these treaties.
Moreover, as those who were present in the last annual ISOC-IL convention at the panel tprevious to the Open SOurce one heared, the top Israeli lawyers who deal with copyright issues push very hard for this legalization to happen. They see it as a good thing and generally do not understand or are aware of the issues involved.
The people of HaMakor have (including btw, in that ISOC-Il panel) participated in discussions about these issues and generally tried to raise awareness to the whole matter and other related issues (like digital signatures and the dangers of misusing them, e-voting issues etc.)
Quote frankly, this isn't enough. In fact, it's almost nothing. There are two reasons for this, and this is where the part of doing something gets in:
1. HaMakor curretnly counts something like 30 registered members and friends. That is a really low number. We have a very hard time convincing people that we represent anyone when only 30 people have bothered registering. So the first thing to do in join.
2. The second thing is that our time and resources are limited. We are ALL vulenteers. No one gets paid and that includes lawyer and accountant. We do this with pleasure, but we also have to work and live. Therefore the next thing is organise activities on your own. We will be glad to help you in things like finanace, getting recipiets, printing material, web storage etc. But you'll have to be the one to *organise* the activity.
I relaise that 1 and 2 are connected - people do not want to join a body that they don't yet precieve as done enough for them, but this is very much a chicken and egg problem.
So, the bottom line - put your money and time where your mouth is and MAYBE we'll be able to do something about it. Everyone we'll have a good oppertunity to register at August Penguin, if sending that 100 NIS was what stopping you.
And no, this isn't personally directed to the authors of this message.
thanks, Gilad.
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