I saw this story on kuro5hin the other day. Trhurler posted a comment that civil disobedience is not merely "breaking the law for a good reason" but a willingness to be subject to negative consequences. The students may be eager to see their day in court, hopefully to set a good precedent, but their ISPs may not. Even though the students sites sport INDIRECT links, which as far as I know have not previously been subject to takedowns.
The CDs I buy online are either from independents directly from their websites, CDBaby.com, or I buy used CDs from amazon's zstore. The indie artists get a bigger cut of the sales (obviously) while the affiliated artists are not getting much less than they would if I bought new... but the recording industry is.
And who's ass is on the line when the EULA states that microsoft is not responsible for its own products?
YOU are entirely responsible. Talk to your reseller for support, and if things break to an extent your business is damaged, don't expect more than a refund of the purchase price of the software. Same for open source, really. So what is Ballmer's point?
to wit:
" 5. PRODUCT SUPPORT. SOFTWARE support for the
SOFTWARE is not provided by MS, Microsoft Corporation, or
their affiliates or subsidiaries..."
and:
"EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY/DAMAGES. The
following is without prejudice to any rights you may have at law
which cannot legally be excluded or restricted. You acknowledge
that no promise, representation, warranty or undertaking has been
made or given by Manufacturer and/or Microsoft Corporation (or
related company of either) to any person or company on its behalf
in relation to the profitability of or any other consequences or
benefits to be obtained from the delivery or use of the SOFTWARE
and any accompanying Microsoft hardware, software, manuals or
written materials. You have relied upon your own skill and
judgement in deciding to acquire the SOFTWARE and any
accompanying hardware, manuals and written materials for use by
you. Except as and to the extent provided in this agreement,
neither Manufacturer and/or Microsoft Corporation (or related
company of either) will in any circumstances be liable for any
other damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages
for loss of business, business interruption, loss of business
information or other indirect or consequential loss) arising out
of the use or inability to use or supply or non-supply of the
SOFTWARE and any accompanying hardware and written materials.
Manufacturer's and/or Microsoft Corporation (or related company
of either) total liability under any provision of this agreement
is in any case limited to the amount actually paid by you for the
SOFTWARE and/or Microsoft hardware."
This system is already in place. Business and industry pay lower rates when their contracts include voluntary brownouts/blackouts during power crises. The idea is that you don't shut off power to hospitals and homes if you can help it.
Slashdot Mirror
I saw this story on kuro5hin the other day. Trhurler posted a comment that civil disobedience is not merely "breaking the law for a good reason" but a willingness to be subject to negative consequences. The students may be eager to see their day in court, hopefully to set a good precedent, but their ISPs may not. Even though the students sites sport INDIRECT links, which as far as I know have not previously been subject to takedowns.
does is qualify for a spot in the "10 worst jobs in science" from popular science?
The CDs I buy online are either from independents directly from their websites, CDBaby.com, or I buy used CDs from amazon's zstore. The indie artists get a bigger cut of the sales (obviously) while the affiliated artists are not getting much less than they would if I bought new... but the recording industry is.
And who's ass is on the line when the EULA states that microsoft is not responsible for its own products?
YOU are entirely responsible. Talk to your reseller for support, and if things break to an extent your business is damaged, don't expect more than a refund of the purchase price of the software. Same for open source, really. So what is Ballmer's point?
to wit:
" 5. PRODUCT SUPPORT. SOFTWARE support for the SOFTWARE is not provided by MS, Microsoft Corporation, or their affiliates or subsidiaries..."
and:
"EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY/DAMAGES. The following is without prejudice to any rights you may have at law which cannot legally be excluded or restricted. You acknowledge that no promise, representation, warranty or undertaking has been made or given by Manufacturer and/or Microsoft Corporation (or related company of either) to any person or company on its behalf in relation to the profitability of or any other consequences or benefits to be obtained from the delivery or use of the SOFTWARE and any accompanying Microsoft hardware, software, manuals or written materials. You have relied upon your own skill and judgement in deciding to acquire the SOFTWARE and any accompanying hardware, manuals and written materials for use by you. Except as and to the extent provided in this agreement, neither Manufacturer and/or Microsoft Corporation (or related company of either) will in any circumstances be liable for any other damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business, business interruption, loss of business information or other indirect or consequential loss) arising out of the use or inability to use or supply or non-supply of the SOFTWARE and any accompanying hardware and written materials. Manufacturer's and/or Microsoft Corporation (or related company of either) total liability under any provision of this agreement is in any case limited to the amount actually paid by you for the SOFTWARE and/or Microsoft hardware."
So how long before microsoft releases a critical security patch which "incidentally" and "accidentally" breaks iTunes?
What is it about the Japanese and their giant fighing robots?
This system is already in place. Business and industry pay lower rates when their contracts include voluntary brownouts/blackouts during power crises. The idea is that you don't shut off power to hospitals and homes if you can help it.
SCO was told to shut up in Germany. No one seemed to care. If SCA can't sell in Australia, maybe their stock will climb higher.