Any impact of Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 on maidsafe as a project, patents, future outlook, political trouble, non-eu member, whatever?

Any impact of Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 on maidsafe as a project, patents, future outlook, political trouble, non-eu member, whatever?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_independence#Independence_referendum.2C_2014

Two weeks and the 2014 referendum is approaching.
Latest news say the latest polls are hinting it to be very tight and pro outcome is now very much possible.

I am not saying pro or contra independence or even let alone EU membership, currencies, politics or all, but are there any plans on how to deal with a pro-independence outcome of the referendum?

Thanks.

Get real, there is no chance of a “Yes” vote - David Cameron has threatened that the Scots can’t use the pound. Failing that, his next move is to remind them that Mars Bars are made in Berkshire…definitely gonna be a “Nae”…

Maybe Free independent country and free currency such as Maidcoin :slight_smile: Or even Euro :wink:

http://www.pieria.co.uk/articles/credit_scotland

Scotland’s monetary system of credit creation, exchange, clearing and investment does not require a currency at all – virtual or otherwise – from the Bank of England. £ denominated paper notes may continue to be issued by Scotland’s banks precisely as now, except that they could be backed by Scottish Treasury Giants and Titans which would simply be undated Treasury prepay credit notes again denominated in £.

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Surely if it was that simple then Alex Salmond would have mentioned it whilst being pressed on the issue by Alistair Darling? Why would he leave the undecided voters with the impression he didn’t have a plan B, if he had one?

Hard to say what the impact will be, and in fact what the result will be. We have not made any plans at this point, I think that even if Scotland choose Independence, there will be a lengthy transition process. I don’t think it will impact our patent position too much, we do have some UK grants but these same inventions are also typically protected in Europe, USA and China. It may be that not being part of the UK (and GCHQ) will be a good thing as the antics of the NSA has undoubtedly hurt US technology businesses, but this is complete speculation.

My understanding on the currency front is that Scotland can pick Sterling if it so chooses, it does not require agreement from anyone. However, choosing a Sterling currency without a currency union will leave Scotland without a central bank and many financial instruments, however in this instance, it would arguably refuse to take on Scotland’s share of UK debt.

I think it will be positive. We know our ministers and can talk to them (we do). Scotland has always ranked higher in the Internet privacy ratings than the rest of the UK. It has a tendency to not want to go to war and is less likely to be pulled into such things as it is now. It will have a government it decides on, which is very important.

In terms of the people, then they do tend to be more socialist (but not extreme) in their approach to voting, so perhaps more focus on the poor. As long as this does not mean a huge public sector and engaging business then it should be good.

Immigration is important to Scotland and as a country it has a diametrically opposed opinion on this, compared with Westminster. We want to increase the population and have young experienced workers in place to balance the economy. So it will be more open as a country to immigration and increasing the skill base.

As for patents etc. they are mostly covered in international law (we may not have a Scottish patent, but thats unlikely to matter or happen).

For a business like MaidSafe I feel the outcome will be positive, if nothing else it will allow us to get direct access to the powers that be and I know we can talk to them bluntly (I do very much). They support us already and have recognised MaidSafe could be a very important feature of a modern Scotland. So all in all a good thing for us. To be further away from GCHQ And the 5 eyes group and all these emergency snooping laws etc. will do us no harm either.

Apart from all that my family drained their veins on that bloody moor on 16th April 1745 (not against the English, but against those in ‘power’ in Scotland and England) to keep Scotland free and I owe them at least to do as much as I can to make it great and get its children out of poverty and into prosperity. I feel that is easier than MaidSafe so we should be good. :smiley:

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