2008-01-28

John C. Dvorak on Software License Agreements

Generally speaking, a software license and various terms-of-service and terms-of-use agreements say the following:

  • Whatever you think we said, or whatever we said, about the product may have nothing to do with reality, and you agree not to expect that it does.
  • No matter what happens, including damage to your equipment or even someone's death, you agree not to blame us even if it is our fault.
  • If we are a Web site and you use it, no matter what bad things happen, it is not our fault.
  • If you contribute anything at all to a site or system, we own it.
  • You will never sue us for anything, ever.

My advice is to have a 13-year-old do all the installations and make all the agreements. They cannot legally enter into these contracts. I wish someone would try that trick and litigate it.


John C. Dvorak in PC Magazine

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