How Software Patents Actually Work
-> [ Latest patent news | EP 2005 | PR materials | Translating the animation ]
2005-04-18 -- Learn how software patents actually work in this easy to follow and fun animation.
The animation
Directed by Gavin Hill. Animation by Grant Gilchrist. Narration by Andy Turvey.
Quicktime/MPEG4, 12.7 MB (Coral cache, ntua.gr, reality.com, kiss.si, vrijschrift.org, uji.es, ffii.org)
Windows Media Video, 16.7 MB (Coral cache, ntua.gr, reality.com, kiss.si, vrijschrift.org, uji.es, ffii.org)
MPEG1, 17.4 MB -- lower quality (Coral cache, ffii.org)
Quicktime/MPEG4 in Spanish at Lucha Proinnova
At least current versions of Xine, mplayer and Videolan Client should be able to play both high quality formats under Linux (thanks to ffmpeg and libavc). No binary Windows/x86 codecs are required. Older versions of mplayer, or sometimes also recent ones marked as "unencumbered" by your distribution, may only be able to play the Windows Media version (and the lower quality mpeg1 version).
(Please only link to this wiki page and not directly to the animation videos, so the mirrors get an equal load)
Screenshots
Background information
Introductions:
If you are concerned about how software patents will affect you and your business, it's very important that you talk to your representatives in the European Parliament:
Always be polite, never get aggressive, don't use form letters, explain how software patents would affect you.
To see what FFII is pushing for in the second reading of the European Parliament, have a look at the letter we sent to the MEPS, as well as the appendices. More information (such as amendments) are also available.
Wikipedia has a very helpful list of MEPs by Country and Region
MEP's listed by country on the EU Parliament website
Specific to the United Kingdom:
Find out the location of your nearest European Parliament Information Office
