Foss forced to concede defeat on patents

Craig Foss has been forced into a humiliating back down over the Government’s software patent system following months of hard work behind the scenes from the IT industry and the Labour Party, says Labour’s Communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran.

“Last year Craig Foss gave in to patent lawyers and multinational software players and sought to impose a software patents system on our IT sector. He overrode the advice of the Commerce Select Committee that copyrighting software would smother innovation.

“It caused an uproar in our innovative IT industry, that knew it would be stifled by constant threats of law suits from multinationals.

“Now, finally Craig Foss has fessed up and admitted he got it wrong. This is a victory for our industry, which is worth around 11% of our GDP.

“Despite facing powerful opponents, the New Zealand software industry never gave up. Throughout this battle I have been impressed by its doggedness and industry collectivism in working to find a solution. I am proud to have been a part of this campaign.

“Labour is on the side of innovation and understands what needs to be done to free up our thinkers and businesses to do what they do best. Labour has continued to strongly promote the importance of removing patentability of software.

“Software development is a key part of our economic future and this law change will allow our innovators to get on with the job without the fear of prohibitive and stifling law suits being imposed by bigger multinational companies.

“The industry can look to the future with renewed confidence,” says Clare Curran.
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