RE: This could potentially be a huge problem for ecommerce

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http://forums.oscommerce.com/viewtopic.php?p=197514#197514
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[b]Patent Threat: 
Confirmed, it does affect us all, the campaign to also involve the United States[/b]
 

Matthew Tutaki, Business Development Director of Sydney Based firm, Syntropy, has today indicated that the fight against the granting of a Patent to provide ownership of International e-commerce transactions to United States based company, DE Technologies, will indeed move to the United States. This follows hundreds of calls and emails of support to Mr Tutaki over the course of the last 48 hours as the story has unfolded in Australia. It is now estimated that if the Patent is to be officially sealed in Australia, based on what is happening in New Zealand at the moment, the cost to the national economy could indeed amount to Billions and not Millions as first thought. 

 

Mr Tutaki indicated that closer examination of the letter that had been received by scores of New Zealand businesses, indicated that not only would royalty fees of $10,000 USD per organisation be charged, but that DE Technologies had also stipulated a charge of up to 1.5% per of the total value of the transactions as well as 11c per document used such as lodgement forms, purchase orders etc. 

 

“Further examination of the letter to New Zealand business has revealed that ISP’s and Hosting companies are also at threat – in this country that would apply to organisations as large as AAPT, Telstra Bigpond and Optus and Credit Card Gateways – there are also immense implications for organisations who are involved in foreign exchange calculations such as the large banks and trading houses. Again, I am sounding a warning to all Australian business to join with me to combat this threat and try to contain it before the Patent is officially sealed by IP Australia.” Tutaki Said. 

 

“We can not allow a foreign company to dictate the terms of our trade or how we conduct business in a global environment, but more to the point is the fact that this Patent should never have been granted in the first place. This country is very fortunate that we have a last port of call in that at the eleventh hour, upon finding out that this Patent was about to be sealed, I had the ability to apply for an extension of time so we as a business community could file a comprehensive notice of opposition. We must do all in our power to ensure that this Patent is never sealed and that any other Patents that are similar in its threats should be located and dealt with in a similar way.” Mr Tutaki said

 

After an early morning telephone call to the Office of a United States Congressman in Washington D.C Mr Tutaki indicated that it was also a matter of time before DE Technologies sent similar letters, as the one that has been sent to New Zealand businesses, to business in the United States. 

 

“This Patent is a global threat and a threat to international trade conducted over the Internet – the warning to my colleagues in the United States is simple, be prepared for what is currently happening in Australia, I am certain you will eventually receive the same treatment.” Tutaki said. 

 

Television New Zealand indicated last night that the eyes of New Zealand Government and Business are on Australia as we seek to have the Patent withdrawn. Mr Tutaki filed a motion of extension at 11am yesterday morning and is currently working on a motion of opposition. He also had strong praise and confidence in the Federal Government that this matter would be resolved. 

 

Tutaki has also renewed calls to the United Nations to investigate a single arbitrary body, similar to the one that looks into domain name registrations, to take responsibility for Patents that have an impact on a global scale.

 

Mr Tutaki has urged any business or organisation involved in International e-commerce trade to contact him in order to form a wide body of support. 

 

He can be contacted by e mailing [email protected] 

 

 

Matthew Tutaki  

Head of Business Development

Syntropy Pty Limited

 

 

Phone:                   0061 2 9262 1155

Fax:                         0061 2 9262 5599

Mobile:   0061 (0) 401 669 912

 

E-mail:                    [email protected]