Microsft is hoping to impose Software

Microsft is hoping to impose Software Patent policy in Europe via the EPLA agreement (1).

Software Patents are not applicable in Europe -- thanks to Michel Rocard and to Free Software movement (2) -- Then, Bill Gates tried to convince EU to follow US patent policy (3)... Today, it seems to me that the EPLA is just applicable in UK (4). For example, France has opposed the EPLA; unfortunately, Sarkozy election can change french policy... Anyway, EU policy is opposed to software patent (for the moment)...

(1) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Patent_Litigation_Agreement

(2) - http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do;jsessionid=2EBAF507C99E021...
(2) - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6589420315629499962

(3) - http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/gates-calls-eu-progress-community...

(4) - http://managingip.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1257409
- http://www.toolinux.com/news/communique/instaurer_le_brevet_logiciel_via...