Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!munnari.oz.au!labtam!foster!mjm
From: mjm@foster.avid.oz (Mike McBain)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.d
Subject: Shrink-wrap licences
Summary: Shrink-wrap illegal in Australia
Message-ID: <668@foster.avid.oz>
Date: 23 Feb 90 01:43:08 GMT
References: <1237@utoday.UUCP> <13520@cbnewsc.ATT.COM> <51005@microsoft.UUCP>
Organization: Avid Systems Pty Ltd, Australia
Lines: 16

In article <51005@microsoft.UUCP>, bruceki@microsoft.UUCP (Bruce KING) writes:
> 
>   The shrink-wrap license has been tested in court and has held up.  
> Licenses that are clearly visible before opening the package are considered
> valid licenses.  Microsoft has won at least one case that I know of.  

Funny, that. In Australia, shrink-wrap licences are contrary to our 
Trade Practices Act. Microsoft, amongst others, was told by the Trade 
Practices Commission not to include such licences in its products.

Australian consumers have the right to goods which are no faulty. If they
are, or if their capabilities are misrepresented, there is a right of
refund guaranteed by statute. Of course, things are different in
the USA 8-).


D