lundi, juin 27, 2005
what if it all means something
So the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that software companies are responsible for what users do with that software - specifically in the realm of file sharing. This is crazy! Apparently the lower courts had all gone the other way basing their argument on a precedent involving VCRs from 1984.
"In that case, the Supreme Court said that the majority of people using a video recorder for legal uses outweighed any illegal use of the technology.
I'm reading viewer comments on the BBC website and thought these were good points:
Should companies who make kitchen knives be responsible if people stab one another with them?
Are we going to start suing the major motor manufacturers for all the citizens killed by their automobiles?
Does this mean eBay is responsible for any stolen merchandise sold through eBay auctions? What's the difference?
If someone gets killed using a gun made by Smith and Wesson does the manufacturer get prosecuted?
It does set an interesting precedent. Scary for software companies. | ¶ 6:03 p.m.
"In that case, the Supreme Court said that the majority of people using a video recorder for legal uses outweighed any illegal use of the technology.
I'm reading viewer comments on the BBC website and thought these were good points:
Should companies who make kitchen knives be responsible if people stab one another with them?
Are we going to start suing the major motor manufacturers for all the citizens killed by their automobiles?
Does this mean eBay is responsible for any stolen merchandise sold through eBay auctions? What's the difference?
If someone gets killed using a gun made by Smith and Wesson does the manufacturer get prosecuted?
It does set an interesting precedent. Scary for software companies. | ¶ 6:03 p.m.
