On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 06:01 , Chris Hunter <chrisehunter@blueyonder.co.uk> sent:

>Nix wrote:
>> On Tue, 1 Nov 2005, Simon Rumble spake:
>> 
>>>On 1/11/2005, "Junior Williamson" junior@acetechno.freeserve.co.uk>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>It seems the DRM system used by Sony on it's CD in this case (apparently
>>>>written by a company called First 4 Internet) automatically installs a nasty
>>>>rootkit which is very difficult to remove.
>>
>> The interesting thing is that this software (also used by BMG,
>> apparently), is written and sold by a UK company, First 4 Internet, Ltd.
>> 
>> Given that the software *blatantly* violates the Computer Misuse Act,
>> might the CPS not be interested, or at the very least the Trading
>> Standards people?
>
>Apparently, this rootkit installation /doesn't/ contravene the Computer 
>Misuse Act. The act of removing the shrink-wrap from the Sony product 
>implies that you have agreed to their "Terms and Conditions" (printed 
>/inside/ the product wrapping).  Trading Standards are simply not 
>interested, as they don't understand the problem.
>
>It's pretty much the same with the current Microsoft EULA - it gives 
>them "rights" to remotely install anything they like on a "licencees" 
>machine, and you can't read the EULA before installing the product.  You 
>also agree to the EULA (without being able to read it) when you open the 
>shrink-wrap!

Interesting... so if I own six computers and I buy a copy of MS Windows  and open it but not install it on any of them have I agreed to let MS install software on all six of my computers?  If I do install it on one of the computers have I granted MS rights to that one computer or all my computers?

Andy


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