Re: MEP Candidates in Scotland and Software Idea Patents

On Tue, 2004-06-08 at 08:39, Space Bunny wrote:

> Alex gave some use for anything 'need for balance' answer, and correct
> me on way I have presented what council of minister had done as he
> pointed out that they could no impose anything against parliaments
> wishes as they have equal power over EU legislation.

This is true. But for amendments to pass in 2nd reading, they need an
absolute majority (ie more than half of all the MEPs, not just of those
who vote).

If the EP stands by the amendments the Council cannot then impose its
version of the directive. It the Council does not agree with the EP's
position, it will abandon the directive. What is necessary is to
persuade LibDem MEPs that it's better to have no directive at all than a
flawed one (but one which explicitly prohibits swpat is the best
option).

Alex
-- 
Alex Macfie, Taipei, Taiwan ROC              email <[email protected]>
Tel: +886 955 857477   <http://www.cgce.net/>
STOP SOFTWARE PATENTS IN EUROPE <http://swpat.ffii.org/>