Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!purdue!decwrl!decvax!ima!mirror!prism!jib
From: jib@prism.TMC.COM
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: TOASTERS and NONSENSE
Message-ID: <242000026@prism>
Date: 30 May 89 13:27:00 GMT
Lines: 22
Nf-ID: #N:prism:242000026:000:1065
Nf-From: prism.TMC.COM!jib    May 30 09:27:00 1989


All this talk about making toaster rentals or car rentals illegal (if the
item contains a ROM with a program) is nonsense.  Even if the bill as
currently drafted went that far (and I don't think the courts would
interpret it that way if the program is an inherent operational part of a
machine), the arguements should be aimed at the PURPOSE of the bill -- to
prohibit renting software (and audio tapes).  If you agree with the
purpose, you should support the bill; if you disagree with the purpose you
should oppose it.

Don't let the trees obscure the forest -- badly drafted bills are often
reformed before passage, and if not, the courts will generally construe
the law to follow the intent of a badly drafted law.

DISCLAIMER: I am a lawyer (as well as programmer and system designer) but
the above is just my opinion.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Block		jib@prism.TMC.COM  
{mit-eddie, pyramid, harvard!wjh12, xait, datacube}!mirror!prism!jib

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