It sounds like, hopefully, this issue is dying out in the EU, though, it’s likely that supporters will keep pushing for it next year.

Why “hopefully”? I understand and agree that software patents have been misused in the U.S., but why not fix the problem instead of completely disallowing the concept?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Do not allow software patents that just replicate existing real-world items (shopping carts, for example)
• Do not allow companies to buy patents and sue for infringement if they aren’t creating products that use the patent.
• Disallow business model patents entirely (unless they are truly unique).
• Improve checking for prior art and obviousness.

Software generally does something, just like a physical device can, and genuine innovation should be able to be patented.