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Microsoft Will Pay If Its Bugs Damage Your Data

Posted by Zonk on from the microsoft's-two-cents dept.

RMX writes "CNet is reporting on a new Microsoft policy where they will pay if their software damages your data . There's a pretty low limit on what they will cover and "it also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages" but at least it's nice that they're specifying exactly to what length they'll go to cover their customers. Is this the "support" from proprietary vendors that corporations like so much?"

3 of 330 comments (clear)

  1. Re:5 Bucks??? by ron_ivi · · Score: 5, Informative
    I don't think that corporations would care about this.

    Well. Then what is it they pay for?

    • Bug fixes? Not a chance - when I called Oracle or Microsoft about bugs / crashes in their databases the best answer I get is "Wait for our next release" and the worst answer I get is "ok, i've logged your report". When I ask the same to Postgresql's mailinglist, I get a patch the next day.
    • Risk of end of life software? Not a chance - when a commercial software vendor does poorly (HP) support for much of their software is killed, when a commmercial software vendor does well (peoplesoft) many of their product lines are killed. When a product is open source, regardless of if it does well (Ximian) or poorly (Blender) it's products survive.
    If it's not for this generous monitary guarantee, what is the appeal?
  2. It's not Microsoft products in general... by norminator · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to the AntiSpyware Beta end-user license agreement (EULA), Microsoft will reimburse direct damages up to $5 for problems associated with the new downloadable tool that wards off spyware, adware and any other "potentially unwanted software."

    They are talking only about the Beta for the MS Anti-Spyware. Everything in this /. post seems to make it look like it's MS software in general. Sorry, you only get money if the Anit-Spyware program screws up your stuff.

  3. Seen it before in MS EULAs by DaveM753 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've seen that $5 liability limit before in other Microsoft EULAs. It's nothing new -- been there for years. I wonder why CNet is only now mentioning it???