4 ms·

Me and friend (he was a contract attorney) started a company that read and published the fine print of various products (many of it was software and smartphone

Me and friend (he was a contract attorney) started a company that read and published the fine print of various products (many of it was software and smartphone contracts and EULA's) and tried to warn consumers what they were signing off on. We didn't get far because after a year, it was clear nobody cared what was in the EULA's they were signing even if it meant giving up your personal information. They were more concerned with the ability to use a new piece of hardware or software they thought was cool without thinking about the ramifications of giving out so much personal information to do so. It was eye opening to say the least.

noxToken 11y ago
I believe that the average person cannot see themselves getting into any legal trouble for the EULA that they've agreed to. Lawsuits and trials are something that happens between corporations, among business people, and with criminals. It is not common to hear of the average person in trouble for violating an EULA for something that was thought to be permissible. Although I don't agree with blindly accepting terms, the current precedent is that if you upload something somewhere, buy something, etc., you'll retain access to it as long as you are in accordance with the law. The company will notify you in the event that they are shutting down or if you'll need to take action to retain access/ownership. There are exception to this rule (does Mt. Gox qualify?), but common sense generally applies to EULAs. Should companies start cashing in on the public's willful ignorance, then people will start to panic.
- 6stringmerc 11y ago
  So one day, I decided to make my own Terms and Conditions of Doing Business with Me, simply as a 'goof' kind of exercise. What gave me the idea was the very common phrasing of "XXXXX reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions at any time and without notice." The idea was to list some expectations for 'Customer Service' and 'Notification' like correspondence, fees for missed deadlines, etc. Basically like a parody of most EULAs or T&Cs that get signed so frequently. Some were pretty ridiculous (i.e. "If you want to collect a late fee you have to do so in person, by appointment only, and accept cash") while others were more functional and somewhat practical (i.e. "Any sale of personal information undisclosed that results in additional spam/solicitations is an abuse of this relationship and subject to a fine of $XXX"). I've got a copy or two stashed away somewhere, and while I have no doubt it'd be viewed with a very negative eye in a court of law, well, it reminds me of the childish saying "Anything you can do I can do better."
  - BostonEnginerd 11y ago
    It would be great if you published this. I'd love to start using something like this with the Comcasts of the world.
    - 6stringmerc 11y ago
      Ha you think so?! I just got myself set up on Medium and I plan on putting some essays up there. I might just have to put it up for grins.

noxToken 11y ago

I believe that the average person cannot see themselves getting into any legal trouble for the EULA that they've agreed to. Lawsuits and trials are something that happens between corporations, among business people, and with criminals. It is not common to hear of the average person in trouble for violating an EULA for something that was thought to be permissible. Although I don't agree with blindly accepting terms, the current precedent is that if you upload something somewhere, buy something, etc., you'll retain access to it as long as you are in accordance with the law. The company will notify you in the event that they are shutting down or if you'll need to take action to retain access/ownership. There are exception to this rule (does Mt. Gox qualify?), but common sense generally applies to EULAs. Should companies start cashing in on the public's willful ignorance, then people will start to panic.

6stringmerc 11y ago
So one day, I decided to make my own Terms and Conditions of Doing Business with Me, simply as a 'goof' kind of exercise. What gave me the idea was the very common phrasing of "XXXXX reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions at any time and without notice." The idea was to list some expectations for 'Customer Service' and 'Notification' like correspondence, fees for missed deadlines, etc. Basically like a parody of most EULAs or T&Cs that get signed so frequently. Some were pretty ridiculous (i.e. "If you want to collect a late fee you have to do so in person, by appointment only, and accept cash") while others were more functional and somewhat practical (i.e. "Any sale of personal information undisclosed that results in additional spam/solicitations is an abuse of this relationship and subject to a fine of $XXX"). I've got a copy or two stashed away somewhere, and while I have no doubt it'd be viewed with a very negative eye in a court of law, well, it reminds me of the childish saying "Anything you can do I can do better."
- BostonEnginerd 11y ago
  It would be great if you published this. I'd love to start using something like this with the Comcasts of the world.
  - 6stringmerc 11y ago
    Ha you think so?! I just got myself set up on Medium and I plan on putting some essays up there. I might just have to put it up for grins.