Australian Gov't Moves To Block E-commerce Patent

ColaMan writes "Surfacing in the Australian version of GoogleNews, moves are afoot to block a patent covering (it seems) general ecommerce practices on the internet. This comes after the recent strongarm tactics against New Zealand businesses by D.E. Technologies , holder of the patent overseas."

Abuse, once more...

[Anonymous Coward]

Like many stories lately, this is another example of companies abusing Patents...

I guess that if you can't find a good way to make money, just patent something, and sue the hell out of everybody...

it's going to get worse before it gets better ppl.

[professorhojo]

this is almost as ridiculous as that guy who successfully patented the HYPERLINK.

which is in turn, easily less rediculous than comnpanies who actually PAID to use the hyperlinks.

Common Sense?

[n0nsensical]

The letter then warns that if D.E. Technologies is forced to litigate and succeeds, it will be entitled to an injunction against the website in question, damages and costs...The last paragraph of the letter adds: "We trust commonsense will prevail and look forward to hearing from you within the above deadline."

Oh yeah, D.E. Technologies knows all about common sense.

Re:Additional coverage in NZ

[Anonymous Coward]

you should sneak a porn link in there somewhere next time you post

Re:Additional coverage in NZ

[AndroidCat]

Next time I'll find a link to a Japanese dancing robot with more tentacles, just for you.

Questionable step.

[Krapangor]

It seems to me that the Aussies are motivated by questionable reasons.
How many Australian companies hold E-commerce patents ?
Well, this answer is: none.
So, while e-commerce patents are indeed questionable by nature the Austrilian goverment is lead by very different reasons to void them: They want to give their own Aussie based companies a commercial advantage over US competitors. Australian companies won't have to invest money into the development of innovative, high-tech business model and are protect from paying any patent fees by Australian law. Thus they gain a huge advantage by cutting their e-commerce cost by 20 percent.

I think the Bush goverment should finally remember their responsibilities and instead of providing their business buddies with cheap Iraqi oil, they should make pressure on the Australian goverment to take down these laws which are btw contradicting the WIPO agreement Australia signed itself, too. It's the duty of a goverment to act for the benefit of all citizens and not just their own supporters and conservative think-tank pals.

Re:e-Commerce patents?

[EvilTwinSkippy]

(Ratzen fratzen... can't post in all caps.)

hello,

i am writing you of a wonderful business
oppertunity in nigeria. my father was gumbo
aiduiuda creator of the patent for e-commerce.

i am the rightful heir to the fortune that has
become him. but being persecuted by the regime of
douy, cheetum and howe, i cannot move the money
out of nigeria.

in exchange for the use your bank account i am
willing to share 20% of the sum of $3 billion
dollars.

Re:it's going to get worse before it gets better p

[EvilTwinSkippy]

The expression "Patently Obvious" takes on a whole new meaning.