You can sign the petition by visiting http://wh.gov/gEm (please note, you may want to block the JavaScript from the site, as some of the files are nonfree programs).

Just last week, WhiteHouse.gov launched its new petition system, ''We the People'', which they describe as "new platform that gives all Americans a way to create and sign petitions on a range of issues affecting our nation." They state that if, "a petition reaches a certain threshold (initially 5,000 signatures within 30 days), it will be reviewed by policy officials in the Administration and an official response will be issued."

This particular petition has already accumulated over 12,000 signatures, and, at the time of writing this, it is listed as the 8th most popular petition on the site! It's already hit the threshold to require review and response from the White House, but more signatures can only help convey the seriousness of the issue.

Let me add one more thing -- before my inbox is flooded with emails -- I agree that the text of the petition is not superb. It treats the "software industry" as something unquestionably good, and it gets the meaning of "antitrust" backwards. But, with that said, the petition still sends a strong message and it is a good step in our collective fight to eliminate software patents -- so I hope you will agree that it is worth signing!

Send us your feedback on this blog post: campaigns@fsf.org or identi.ca/fsf.