[comp.virus] AIDS disk

ram@uunet.UU.NET (Richard Meesters) (12/19/89)

martin@EASBY.DURHAM.AC.UK (Martin Ward) writes:
> I feel that I should point out that the effects of this disk are
> entirely in accordance with the standard warrenty used by most
> commercial software developers (the ones which disclaim that the
> programs are fit for any purpose at all, that XXX will disclaims all
> responsibility for any damage or loss caused etc.) Either these
> warrenties are ILLEGAL or the perpetrators of this disk are entirely
> within their legal rights to do what they have done. Does anyone (eg a
> lawyer) know which is the case?

I'm afraid I can't agree with you, Martin.  Warranty implies that the
product was purchased and you are following the terms of the purchase
agreement.  The trojan runs for a time and then demands that you pay
for the product (Which, as it has been presented appears to be a
demo.)  If you don't pay the price, the trojan, in effect, kidnaps
your data and holds it for ransom.

Illegal, or at least extremely Immoral (presumably the former).

Regards,
Richard Meesters

okunewck@psuvax1.cs.psu.edu (Phil OKunewick) (12/21/89)

attcan!ram@uunet.UU.NET (Richard Meesters) writes:
>martin@EASBY.DURHAM.AC.UK (Martin Ward) writes:
>> I feel that I should point out that the effects of this disk are
>> entirely in accordance with the standard warrenty used by most
>> commercial software developers...
>
>...Warranty implies that the
>product was purchased and you are following the terms of the purchase
>agreement.  The trojan runs for a time and then demands that you pay
>for the product...
>  ...kidnaps your data and holds it for ransom.
>
>Illegal, or at least extremely Immoral (presumably the former).

    Illegal in the United States, which may be why they didn't try to
spread it here.

    According to the regulations of the U.S. Postal Service, if you
receive something through the mail which you have not ordered, then
you automatically own it.

    If this were not enforced, then many of these annoying organizations
that send us ads for junk products would instead be sending us the junk
products, along with a bill for their trash.

    Does the U.K. have a similar law?
- --
					---Phil
(erutangis. ruoy naht daer ot redrah si erutangis. yM)