以下内容转自http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/en/m/intro/index.html
Under the influence of the patent system and big industry lobbyists, the European Union is on the verge of making a huge mistake: to pass a law that would legalize software patents.
在某些专利组织和大公司的游说下，欧盟准备通过一项法律使软件专利权得以合法化，这将是一个很大的错误。
"Chances are that patents on software, common practice in the US and on the brink of being legalised in Europe, in fact stifle innovation. Europe could still alter course."
Deutsche Bank Research
软件拥有专利权在美国很普遍，如果在欧洲将得以合法化将会僵化软件的革新进程。
Without software patents, Europe could save costs, foster innovation, enhance security, and create jobs. Thanks to Linux and other open-source software, Europe has the chance to gain independence from Microsoft and other large American companies. However, if the EU allows software patents, then that's the beginning of the end for Linux. Not only for Linux. It's just a prominent example.
如果不受软件专利权的制约，欧洲的软件产业不仅可以节约成本，而且可以促进革新，增加安全性能并且增加就业机会。由于Linux和其它一些开源软件的出现，使得欧洲的软件可以独立于像微软和其它一些美国大公司。但是如果欧盟通过软件专利权的法律，这就意味着Linux开始走向灭亡。Linux只是一个典型的例子，其它软件也会面临同样的命运。
mplayer网站就是在这种背景下关闭的。它在网页上说：
The European parliament will now be taking the last stand against software patents in a voting for which an absolute majority is needed. Such a majority is hard to come by in a parliament with a low attendance level.
欧洲议会将最后对软件专利权的法律作出投票表决，必须获得绝对多数才能通过。但是由于出席率不高，绝对多数票是很难获得的。
这是它的号召：
This is our last opportunity to fend off software patents worldwide, there will be no second chance for the foreseeable future. Contact your local EU representatives and educate them why software patents are bad and why they must attend that parliament session to vote against them.
这是最后的机会保卫自由软件，已经没有第二次机会。请联系本地的欧盟代表说服他们软件专利权有多么的不好并且不要投票支持该项法律。
