Shrink-wrap Contracts ‘Booked’
I thought the licenses that came on boxes of software were bad enough, but this is going overboard. It seems the some book publishes are using shrink-wrap contracts on books according to an article in the ABA Journal eReport (published by the American Bar Association). The article questions the validity of these licenses because they may unlawfully limit fair use, and it is unclear how they can be enforced. It appears it will be up to a judge to decide once, and if, a lawsuit is filed. That said, even if they are unenforceable I really hope consumers (personal, academic, and corporate) will refuse to purchase these items. Actually, I hope they don’t purchase any items from these publishers. I really doubt it will happen, but I hope so none the less.