On Sun, 23 Jan 2000, Richard Makin wrote: > > Is anyone working on programs to decompress/install programs without > >forcing the installer to agree to a "click-wrap" EULA? > > > First of all, in many countries, including Norway, reverse engineering is > explicitly permitted by law _even_ if EULA states otherwise. Some software > vendors have realised this and add "...is prohibited unless explicidly > granted by law and only to the extent expressed in this law". So the case > would be clear in a Norwegian court.
Yes, but there's other places (like where I live) where the situation isn't as crystal clear. > Secondly, Xing Player (as well as many other programs) can be installed > without clicking "OK", although often it requires ingerence in the > program/setup script itself. This isn't just about the DVD encryption algorithm. There are other things to be reverse engineered, and while I don't consider EULA's to be binding, it would be nice to be able to tell a court I didn't in any way agree to a click-wrap license. > Anyway - when I have already paid for the program, and I don't like the > license - will they give me my money back? > Thirdly, if the case is lost in the USA on the basis of this "EULA click" we > may consider setting up DeCSS servers in countries where laws are more > consistent. Since I live in the USA, I would like to find a way around the click wrap EULA even if the judiciary (in a fit of poor thinking) decides that clicking on a button to make something you've already paid for work is legally equivalent to going into a room and negotiating a contract with someone. Lynn