EULAs

WHAT IS A EULA?

Read the short explanation of EULAs and their importance at http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/faq/a/eula.htm

For more information see the Wikipedia article “Software Licenses” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EULA


The Microsoft Windows XP EULA

A page on the Microsoft Web site says the following:

The EULA for Microsoft Windows may be found in one of several different locations, depending on your Microsoft product. The three most common locations for the license agreement are: (1) printed on a separate piece of paper that accompanies the product; (2) printed in the User's Manual, usually on the inside front cover or the first page of the manual; or (3) located online within the software product. For Microsoft Windows, a copy of the EULA is usually stored in the Windows (or WINNT) / System32 directory with the filename eula.txt.

Since most people install software without reading the EULA, it is worthwhile to look at one example of a EULA that affects most of us, the license we agree to when we buy the Microsoft Windows operating system. Browse through the EULA for the Windows XP, then answer the following questions:

a. Quote the statement in the EULA governing renting or lending.
b. Products identified as "North America Only Version” may not be exported beyond the U.S. and Canada. What is the reason for this restriction?
c. How long is the warranty?
d. If the product does not perform the way it should, what is your remedy under the warranty?
e. What does the warranty say about damage done by the product if it misperforms?
f. What is the final statement of the EULA?


BAD EULAS

Make sure you understand what spyware is and how it works by visiting these sites:
Look at definitions of spyware at Google: define:spyware and for a more detailed article at Wikipedia.

Search to find the EULA of an application you use at EULA Hall of Shame.

Check the following resources:

The Importance of EULA

It Pays to Read License Agreements

A Crusade Against Bad EULAs

Trying to Decipher that EULA? Better Have a PhD


Keep your business in compliance with the law - further reading

You may be using Windows XP Home Edition on your home computer. Have you ever looked at the EULA? Do you know what your legal obligations are? How well could you answer questions such as:

• How can I be certain I have legitimate Microsoft products if they came preinstalled on my computer's hard disk?

• Can I make a second copy of my Windows operating system software for my portable computer?

• What is the minimum amount of documentation I should keep to prove my software products are legally licensed?

• What if I've upgraded from an earlier version of Windows? Do I still need to keep my earlier copy of Windows as part of my legally acquired product?

As a business professional, it’s recommended that you take some time to learn the licensing basics of ALL the software you use.