UCITA Debates Trudge Onward

prockcore writes: "CNet is running a story on a debate involving proposed changes to the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA). Changes include altering Opt-in/Opt-out rules, removing limits on public criticism, removing some limits on reverse engineering, among others."

Comments

Re:unfortunately Congress makes the rules

[llywrch]

> The majority of the 50 states do not have significant technology industries and so might be willing to overturn UCITA which
> would benefit computer users.

One item that opened my eyes when I testified against this legislation in 2001 before a committe of the Oregon Legislature, was that the insurance industry was set against it, as well as a number of industries who buy software. And the insurance industry has members in each of the 50 states.

Think of it as big corporation vs. big corporations over profits.

> Unfortunately it is Congress which passed UCITA in the first place.

Err, no: this model legislation, written by a group of lawyers. It is then submitted to each of the 50 states to adopt, modify, or ignore as they see fit. Because it is a ``model", drafted by legal ``experts", most state legislatures are inclined to adopt it unless the local users (both individual & business) raise a stink about it.

Geoff