Format and protocol patents

• *Any* program that understands protected format or protocol would be covered, including mere conversion
• Can be disguised as "Program..." or even "Process..."
• GIF, JPEG, MP3, Microsoft Word, ...
• Free DVD players, MP3 players, CD-to-MP3 player copying, digi-tv-recording, ...
• Line between format and algorithm fuzzy
• Mandatory licensing schemes don't help free software
• Europarliament added amendment for compatibility, Council dropped it