Gert Says
a rather irreverent discusssion
UCITA - Why it is important to you.
UCITA, the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act, is a proposed state law that seeks to create a unified approach to the licensing of software and information. Two states--Maryland and Virginia--have passed UCITA, and it will be under consideration in many other states in the near future.
Several aspects of UCITA pose problems.
- UCITA legitimizes a non-negotiable contract-based system of intellectual property with no exemptions and fair use defenses for the research, education, and library communities as provided for in federal copyright law.
- UCITA permits this same kind of contract to apply to mixed media transactions where a book accompanied by a CD, for example, could be governed by the same restrictions as placed on the CD.
- UCITA permits provisions that prohibit reverse engineering or the public comment or criticism of a product.
- UCITA allows the licensor to electronically disable, remove, or prevent the usage of computer information or software that resides on your system creating significant security issues along with interrupting services and operations.
- UCITA allows software firms to waive liability for known defects in their software that they failed to disclose to their customers.
- UCITA can directly impact the ability of libraries and educational institutions to carry out their missions, to effectively manage their operations, and to preserve and apply community values in their daily work.
Based on information provided by the Association of Research Libraries which is providing a Satellite Teleconference December 13, 2000 1:00-4:00 p.m. EST to educate people about this important ruling.
Details and registration information can be found at ARL.org.
Nov. 10,2000
