[Sussex] Suing Microsoft

[Geoff Teale]

Steve wrote:
------------
> But one also has to look at the structure of the system.
> In a car if the exhaust has a hole in it it doesn't cause
> the wheels to fall off.  Software is a complex state machine
> with many, many interactions - how it works is a very
> different beast.

This is true, but the legal systems of the the western world don't have a
great record of understanding this when it comes to IT.

> Not all companies are responsible for their clients' IT.  When
> will you be letting UK Linux to install RH8.2 on your new system
> so they can patch it remotely?  You are one of their clients aren't
> you?

In this case I would expect them to have patched their machine, and indeed
they do, and Lance, the sysadmin sends me e-mails telling me what he's doing
to the machine as and when he does it.
 
> I can't believe they'd get a way with it on a general case of 
> just reporting it (like say a newspaper).  But I don't know the
> case(s) you're thinking of.

See this link for some details:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/15337.html

.. essentially Microsoft claims it's bug reports are copyright so only they
can publish them through their controlled channels.  They argue that they
need to control this information.  Most security experts think the only
thing they're trying to control is their bad image.

> Then isn't a court case were a new precedent will be set?

Yup.  But the point is, you don't know _how_ it will be set.
 
> But the normal reaction from the press is "then will not
> report on your positive cases either" (and then do an "exposé").
> Microsoft does need to advertise.

Depends on who the press is.  The register reported this in a fairly
negative light, ZDNet (suprise, suprise) thought it was a wonderful move on
behalf of a company who can do no wrong.  I'll leave you to decide the
reasons why the opinion differs :)

-- 
GJT
Free Software, Free Society. 
http://www.fsf.org   http://www.gnu.org

You have created a powerful solution for which there are no problems.
Everyone is impressed, but duly confused.


The above information is confidential to the addressee and may be privileged.  Unauthorised access and use is prohibited.
 
Internet communications are not secure and therefore this Company does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message.
 
If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful.
 
Claybrook Computing Limited is a subsidiary of Claybrook Computing (Holdings) Limited
Registered Office: Abbey House. 282 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7NJ
Registered in England and Wales No 1287205
 
A Hogg Robinson plc company