Re: The new licensing model

["Norm" <normanmo@clark.net>]

On Wed, 15 Dec 1999 09:37:36 -0500 (EST), 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?


     I too find this trend somewhat troubling.  If it was only an
additional service being offered for those who might not use a
particular software enough to warrant buying it I would be all for it,
but I'm afraid it's going to end up as only the next scheme to squeeze
out even more profits from consumers.  If this new 'business model'
pays you can bet consumers will no longer be able to purchase their
software outright.

     IMO the software business has it too easy already.  How many
product manufacturers can state that there's no guarantee their product
will be suitable for what they claim it's intended for and get away
with it??  It's insane, and now (surprise...surprise) the big players
have used their large cash reserves (money politics) to skew the laws
in their favor even more.  Nobody's looking out for the consumer
anymore.

--
 ...Cheers,

 ...Norm

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