Network Security Blog

It Pays To Read License Agreements

I think I read one of the first Microsoft EULA (End-User Licensing Agreement) sometime in the late 80’s, but I’ve never read one since. Well, I guess PC Pitstop decided to make it worth your while to read their EULA. The included a clause in it that basically said, “Send us an email, we’ll send you a prize.” One lucky reader actually read the EULA, sent the email and got a check for $1000!

There point, and it’s a good one, is that you should read the EULA for any product you’re going to install on your computer. While PC Pit stop’s EULA surprise was a pleasant one, many of the clauses hidden in other companies software is not so beneficial. In many cases you’re giving the company the right to collect personal information, download additional software, modify your browser, or just plain do almost anything they want.

Hmmm, I wonder what Reed Freeman of Claria would have to say about this (see my last post). I’m not going to be installing anything that uses a Claria product any time soon, but I’m sure their EULA makes for some interesting reading.

Yes, EULA’s make for boring reading. Yes, they’re written in legalese and impossible for the average person to read. But occasionally they contain surprises we should be aware of, both positive and negative. Usually negative.