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Dear Free Software
Supporter,
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has long been opposed to the ways
in which US and international patent law have been misused to allow
for so-called ["software patents."][1] As these patents are not held
over a particular piece of software, but rather any principle that can
be used in its design, it is more accurate to describe them as
software *idea* patents. Software idea patents are a grave threat to
free software developers because they severely limit the scope of what
they can or cannot implement, and also expose them to legal harassment
from any group that has enough resources to enforce their unjust claim
over a programming idea. Litigation on a software idea patent can
spell financial ruin for developers and an abrupt end to any free
software project. An upcoming bill in Congress would leave the free
software community much more open to these kinds of attacks.
[1]:[link removed]
Despite its failure to pass in 2017, a bill with the appropriately
Orwellian title of "Support Technology and Research of Our Nation's
Growth and Economic Resilience" (STRONGER) Patents Act was
reintroduced into Congress on July 10th, 2019. If passed, the Act
would make software idea patents much more easily claimed and
enforceable against developers in the free software community.
Whatever its effects on other types of patents may be, the fact that
it will prop up software idea patents is reason enough to reject it.
As we have seen before, it is an attempt to [patch a broken
system][2]. The proposed bill never bothers to question the validity
of these patents as a category. To protect our community, it is our
duty to inform Congress and legislators that the only remedy for the
problem posed by software idea patents is to dismantle them entirely.
[2]:[link removed]
The FSF urges all of its supporters in the United States to contact
their local congresspeople and advise them to vote against the
STRONGER Patents Act. No matter where you are in the world, please
stand firm in campaigning for the right of free software users and
programmers to use, copy, and develop tools for user and community
empowerment.
### Take action!
*If you're not in the US, let us know your country by [updating your
profile][3] so we can send you more relevant info. In the meantime,
please also help us spread the word to your contacts in the US.*
[3]:[link removed]
Nervous? Try using the following script:
>Hello,
>I live in CITY/STATE. I am calling to urge you to vote against
>the "STRONGER" Patents Act, and protect programmers and developers
>from the threat of software idea patents. Thank you for your time.
**Don't know who to call?**
* To call your congressperson directly, dial (202) 224-3121 and the
switchboard will connect you.
* Alternatively, you can find contact information for both your local
senator and House representative online in the [Senate][4] and
[House][5] directories.
[4]:[link removed]
[5]:[link removed]
In solidarity,
Greg Farough
Campaigns Manager
--
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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
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