René Holzer comments on the election of the "software patent of August":

Which objectives has Nutzwerk pursued with the application for DE10048113?
R.Holzer: The objective of Nutzwerk consisted in protecting the investments in co-workers and equipment for a certain period of time. Due to the strong competition from the USA, the patent offered the opportunity to develop in Germany a core technology for the internet and to make it ready for marketing in stages of a few years.

Which are the practical uses that Nutzwerk relates to owning the patent DE10048113 and other software patents?
R.Holzer: The patent offers the opportunity to build up and to hold a monopoly on a certain market segment.

In the case of DE10048113: Has Nutzwerk acquired any experience concerning patent infringements or has the company reckoned with it?
R.Holzer: The experience with patent infringements is considered insignificant.

Which are the measures taken by Nutzwerk against the companies, e.g. competitors, which infringe software patents such as DE10048113?
R.Holzer: Each infringement on our patent must be individually verified and individually decided upon. We do not have a generally applicable procedure.

To what extent does Nutzwerk think to use the software patents as negotiation material for cross licensing agreements if Nutzwerk is, for example, attacked in accordance with the patent law by other companies or competitors?
R.Holzer: We do not plan to use the patent as negotiation material in the negotiations – of any kind – with competitors.

Which comprehensive strategy does Nutzwerk apply with regard to the application and the property of software-related patents?
R.Holzer: The development of technologies over several years is very difficult in Germany. Our competitors in the USA have much more financial means at their disposal to finance the technologies for years and to make them ready for marketing. The company Nutzwerk with the headquarters in Leipzig has never intended to relocate its headquarters in the USA. Nevertheless, the patent protection makes it possible to develop in Germany technologies for the internet, because it significantly facilitates the financing possibilities. This depends to a great extent on the mentality of the German banks and the venture capital decision-makers who give foreign capital only under conditions of complete safety.