CA Court Strikes Blow Against Hidden EULAs

vsprintf writes "Ed Foster's Gripelog has a story on California's ruling against some of our favorite software producers and software retailers. EULAs inside the shrinkwrap are no longer good enough. Retailers with rules against accepting returns of open software could be in for hefty fines or settlements. Finally, a break for the buyer. May this spread quickly to other states."

Comments

soggy frist psot

[Anonymous Coward]

by reading this post you agree not to moderate it down. only moderations of +1 insightful will be allowed.

Re:soggy frist psot

[Alsee]

I always mod down the first post without bothering to read it.

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Frys

[Cyberglich]

i can't wait to put this to the test at frys

Re:Frys

[Shut the fuck up!]

i can't wait to put this to the test at frys

To you and any other dirty hippy out there: If I am behind you in line and you try to explain this court ruling to a clerk, I WILL KICK YOUR ASS UP AND DOWN EVERY AISLE IN THE STORE.

Re:Frys

[DarkHelmet]

Best.... slashdot username.... ever!!!!

Re:Frys

[I WILL KICK YOUR ASS]

Shut the fuck up!

Re:What next?

[MrRuslan]

In some cases that may not be a bad idea. What if the EULA says "by buying this u sign your left nut away to us to do with as we please.

Re:What next?

[Anonymous Coward]

What if the EULA says "by buying this u sign your left nut away to us to do with as we please.

Well hopefully the people at the software company notice where I've added and initialed a change to the EULA which says "If you try to collect my left nut then I am entitled to collect both your nuts and your teenaged daughters."

Retailers are going to need....

[John3]

bigger screens on the electronic signature capture pads so they can display the EULA.

Re:EULAs are bunk

[pegr]

Sure enough. I'm researching details, but on the face it looks plain wrong... Thanks for the link.

Re:What next?

[SirGeek]

In some cases that may not be a bad idea. What if the EULA says "by buying this u sign your left nut away to us to do with as we please.

Then, I'll have my wife buy it. If she as a left nut, she sure as hell doesn' need it ...

Re:EULAs are bunk

[pegr]

My dog pushed "I Agree". You can claim bad faith, but you can't call it a contract. And my minor children cannot enter into a contract without my consent, or I'm exchanging "Promisory Notes" for candy tomorrow at the bus stop (though that would probably get one arrested for different reasons... :)

Re:What next?

[Anonymous Coward]

Not sure I'd buy software off of someone whose daughters had nuts.

--
Grammer nazi's! I no!

Re:What next?

[spungebob]

be sure to stand to the right of her when she signs it... just to cover all the bases.

Re:What next?

[CaptainZapp]

I so hope so. I really hope they DEMAND that you read and sign the EULA right there before you buy software.

I think you have an excellent point. Just imagine standing at the cashier for 25 minutes, while carefully reading the EULA. For bonus points you can ask the clerk for legal help:

"Excuse me sir: What means non-exclusive int this context?"

Sure, the folks in line will go ballistic and the shop won't be happy: But maybe they finally get the point and either kick the products out or start to apply real pressure to the vendors.