Software Developers Oppose Controversial UCITA; Top InfoWorld Columnist Available for Comment on Software Act.SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 1999-- Detailed in this week's issue of InfoWorld, the IT newsweekly that defines technology for business, is commentary from renowned columnist, Ed Foster on the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act (UCITA) was promulgated to fill a void in existing contract law in the treatment of computer information. In a preface to UCITA, its creators wrote, "Our economy has experienced fundamental change … legal rules that are not (UCITA (Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act) A controversial law that deals with software contracts and licensing drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL). ). This highly debated issue of shrink-wrap software license terms is going before the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) is a non-profit, unincorporated association in the United States that consists of commissioners appointed by each state and territory. (NCCUSL NCCUSL National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws ) for consideration, later this week. UCITA is a proposed uniform state law that will govern all contracts for the development, sale, licensing, support and maintenance of computer software. UCITA eliminates liability from software vendors for damages their shrink-wrap software may inflict on a businesses even if the company wasn't made aware of the potential damages prior to purchase and even if the vendor code was poorly constructed or not tested. If adopted by the states, it will become the dominant source of law that governs software quality. Most debate on UCITA so far has focused on consumer objections to provisions in the law that have been largely shaped by the software industry. However, Foster has now found evidence that many software developers also strongly object to the proposed uniform state law. Smaller software companies in particular feel that, if large software publishers are allowed to deliver inferior products without consequence, it will hurt the entire industry. Foster has been prolific in his coverage of UCITA, formerly known as UCC An abbreviation for the Uniform Commercial Code. Article 2B, having written about it for nearly four years. He started a virtual petition in May that has been signed by over 2,500 readers, requesting that UCTIA not be approved. He will present the petition later this week to the state commissioners. About InfoWorld Headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., in the heart of Silicon Valley, InfoWorld and InfoWorld.com (www.infoworld.com), the leading IT sources for defining technology for business in print and on the web, cover key technologies, products and trends to assist IT professionals in leveraging technology for business advantage. InfoWorld is a wholly owned independent business unit of IDG IDG International Data Group IDG Integrated Drive Generator IDG Installation Design Guide IDG Internet Discussion Group IDG Inset Dielectric Guide IDG International Dangerous Goods (mail, shipping) , the world's leading IT media and information services See Information Systems. company. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion