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http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=584
Software license as fifth column
By ron carlson, Insanely Great Mac
July 1st 2002
M$ is preparing to implement its vision of digital rights management and you can''t
opt out
The Register reports on a rather nasty and unheralded clause in the license for its
Windows Media Player relating to digital rights management (DRM). Here''s a quote:
"You agree that in order to protect the integrity of content and software protected by
digital rights management (''Secure Content''), Microsoft may provide security related
updates to the OS Components that will be automatically downloaded onto your computer.
These security related updates may disable your ability to copy and/or play Secure
Content and use other software on your computer. If we provide such a security update,
we will use reasonable efforts to post notices on a web site explaining the update."
If? Disable "other" software? Reasonable efforts?
This egregious attack is perhaps the latest salvo in the battle to wrest control of
the desktop away from the user. Purchase software? You have no rights. Purchase
music/entertainment you have no rights. The insult to this injury is that M$ is
setting itself up as the gate keeper between you and the RIAA.
Here''s The Register''s take:
"...Microsoft has just assumed the right to attack your computer and surreptitiously
install code of its choosing. You will not be warned; you will not be offered an
opportunity examine the download or refuse it. MS will simply connect remotely and
install what it will, or install it secretly when you contact them."
If there ever was a reason to forward migrant to the Mac or go GPL, this is it. Write
your legislators.
Post your comments at:
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=584
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