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From: bzs@world.std.com (Barry Shein)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: A lot of stuff that's been happening lately
Message-ID: <9008231949.AA04526@world.std.com>
Date: 23 Aug 90 19:49:22 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 26


A dark prediction...

Within the next two years (whatever, soon) an individual will be sued
and personally financially destroyed over a major freeware package.

Although the plaintiff will be an otherwise neutral harmed party
rumors will circulate that the legal muscle used to pursue the suit
came from a major software house with an interest (although nothing
will be proven as it will be nicely weasled, the money washed thru the
law firm, for example, coincidentally they both use the same law
firm.)

The court will hold that individuals representing freeware can be held
normally liable, regardless of various disclaimers written into the
package. The "fame and adulation" will be considered equivalent
tangible value to having received payment for the work. Freeware, as a
legal concept, will cease to exist. Warranties of Merchantability etc
will be applicable to freeware.

As I said, a dark prediction.

        -Barry Shein

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