EU delays vote on new patent laws News
EU delays vote on new patent laws

[JURIST] The EU has delayed a vote to take place later this week on a proposed law governing when patents can be obtained for technological developments after Poland expressed some reservation over whether to support the law. The law, known as the software patent directive, seeks to establish uniformity on patent laws across the EU, but Poland signaled doubts about the proposal because it could allow patents on software, which has been opposed by all. A vote was scheduled during the meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Brussels later this week, but it will likely be delayed until sometime in December. Software developers have also sought to block patents on programs. The proposed law was agreed to by EU member states in May. The New York Times has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.