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Microsoft Backs Down on Windows 2000 EULA

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the step-in-the-right-direction dept.

nachoboy writes "After the fiasco surrounding the overly intrusive EULA for Windows 2000 SP3, it seems Microsoft has backed down a bit with the upcoming release of SP4. The section concerning automatic updates now states simply "You consent to the operation of these features, unless you choose to switch them off or not use them." The EULA then proceeds to list the five services liable to connect to the internet without explicit confirmation. A reference copy of the SP4 EULA may be found here. We can only hope for a similar move with Windows XP."

4 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. Not a big deal? by Sheetrock · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Most people I know using Windows 2000 just blow past their EULAs without reading them. What was so onerous? I didn't think it was out of the ordinary for Media Player to fetch new DRM information with codec updates if the old DRM was cracked, and really didn't care because I hardly use it (I prefer RealOne's encoding.)

    My virus scanner updates itself without my knowledge, as does my weather bar and e-mail client. How do I know they aren't doing nefarious things? But in the end, they make for a more convenient product.

    --

    Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
    -- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.




  2. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't think you understand Microsoft's tactic. They ALWAYS did the same thing:

    1) Start with something free or an upgrade.
    2) Incrementally and slowly add more and more restrictive claims. Auto-update, DRM, etc.
    3) If the people start complaining too much, roll-back to previous claims, which isn't much better.
    4) Wait for a while.
    5) Go to 2.

    This has been MS tactics for as long as I can remember. So, I don't think we should claim victory right now.

  3. Does this really matter? by AstroDrabb · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Does it matter that MS has changed the wording around in their EULA for win2k? They are still going to try to force their will upon you. Look at the Media player 9 EULA. It gives M$ the right to remove "content" they beleive to be violating a copyright holder. Just when did M$ get the damn power to be police of the world? Where was I when that power was granted? There is no need for any of this garbage. There are laws to protect copyrights, let the copyright holders use the legal system just like the rest of us have to. Just don't give in to the MS FUD or the MS monoply.

    --
    If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
    it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
  4. Re:Too little, too late... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Perhaps it may have seemed to MS that it was a good idea, but many institutions such as hospitals strictly control what is on their computers, and the EULA made it legally impossible for them to use SP3.