Have you read an EULA lately?
(October 16, 2007)


You'd better start having a closer look at these EULA (End User License Agreement) agreements before you click on the "Accept" button 'cause you might be agreeing to a whole lot more than you think!

 

This guy reports that he stumbled on a clause in an IE mobile plugin, Web Viewer, which essentially has him agreeing to accept 3rd party license agreements for other software that may be installed at the same time!

 

12. Third Party Software

The Software may contain third party software which requires notices and/or additional terms and conditions. Such required third party software notices and/or additional terms and conditions are made a part of and incorporated by reference into this EULA. By accepting this EULA, you are also accepting the additional terms and conditions, if any, set forth therein.

 

I was a reckless computer owner for a long time and could scroll through that seemingly endless list fast enough, loved the EULA's that had the "Accept" button right there so I didn't have to scroll at all. I changed that about four years ago when I was responsible for ensuring that the one I was writing for a client really told the entire story.

 

While even the biggest and most noble software teams have occasionally writing bad software that overextends it's intended reach, this type of obviously intentional slight of hand is unacceptable. Compliance with netiquettes is not standard, and I suppose to keep things moving forward sometimes developers must step outside the boundaries, however, this this type of trickery is becoming all too common.

 

So READ, READ, READ and stand up (or cease to download) to those such EULA's. Refuse to click on that "Accept" button until you know that there was at least no ill-intention on the developer's part. Stay informed about what your installing.

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