Re: The new licensing model

[Gene Gaines <gene.gaines@ibm.net>]

Lewis,

Well said!

Son-of-a-...

(Oh my.  Almost used a "b" word.  Lordy, don't want to use
ANY "b" word in the presence of Lewis.)

Gene Gaines
gene.gaines@ibm.net


"Lewis A. Mettler" wrote:
> 
> Cem,
> 
> Cem Kaner wrote:
> >
> > With Win 2000, MS is talking about changing its business model in several ways:
> >
> > (1)     You get a limited time license to use the software, with a time bomb
> > (automatic disabling) when the time runs out
> >
> > (2)     You get maintenance (automatic updating, bug fixing, etc.) over the net
> >
> > (3)     Some of that maintenance will entail complete access to your hard disk
> > (look at McAfee's online computer checkup service, for example)
> >
> > As other companies are doing (see, e.g. the Micron ads), software is being
> > remarketed as a service. Among other things, this pulls the software out of
> > goods-related laws (bye, bye warranty laws and several other consumer
> > protection laws), although it firmly leaves software in the scope of the
> > new Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (which is very, very
> > Microsoft-friendly). (The Reporter -- senior author -- of UCITA even worked
> > as a consultant to MS -- on a separate matter, of course -- during part of
> > the time that UCITA was being written.)
> >
> > In the new regime:
> >
> > (1)     what protections of your data (privacy) should apply? What restrictions
> > should exist on megagiants' ability to access, store, and use your data?
> >
> > (2)     what assurances of service should we be able to get from the large
> > software/service providers?
> >
> > (3)     to what extent will we see a new variation of anti-competitive conduct,
> > for example you get error-free maintenance if your system has MS Office,
> > but problems come up if you have StarOffice or Corel loaded instead?
> >
> > To what extent should the MS remedies look forward to new types of abuses
> > associated with the online service model?
> 
> The problem is with Microsoft management not the technology.
> 
> That is why the remedy must remove power from corrupt management.
> Otherwise, you will be required to implement an enormous amount of
> regulations and rules.  And, the court is ill-suited to do that.
> 
> --
> Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
> lmettler@LAMLaw.com
> http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
> trial)