Stardate 20020207.1517

(On Screen): Most of us don't read the bazillion lines of fine print on the licenses we agree to in order to use computer software. Who has the time?

Some companies have stuck some rather odd provisions in there. Network Associates had a provision in one of its licenses which prevented the user from writing and printing a review of the product without permission from NA. The State of New York has sued on the basis of this being a violation of free speech rights, and NA has been backpedalling like mad, claiming first that they didn't really mean it, second that they never had actually enforced the provision and third that they have now changed it (to make it "more suggestive", whatever that means).

But they did put that provision in there in the first place, which is still pretty scary. It's obvious that if no-one had called them on it, they'd have left it there.

But do not rest comfortable. If UCITA goes into force, that exact license clause will become legal and enforceable, and anyone who says anything negative in print about any software product they've purchased could be sued for license infringement. UCITA already been approved by two states.