YOU TOO CAN BE AN MEP

Ever felt that the debate over software patents was all a game? Well now it can be! The European Parliament is offering you the chance to be a ‘virtual MEP’ in ‘an online game that allows you to take part in virtual debates, votes and even draft your own resolutions’. Points are awarded for forecasting the outcome of votes, participating in internal votes, creating draft legal votes and knowledge of EU current affairs questions.

Says the press release: "To set up your own group you need 19 players - just as with political groups in the European Parliament".

The late Humphrey (left) - Britain's foremost politically involved cat

The IPKat says that this is the perfect opportunity for the pro and anti-IP lobbies to play out their grievances with minimal harm to all. Slight technical hitch though – in true European style, the link to the game doesn’t work.