You may remember my story from last year about the woodworking tool that comes with a EULA prohibiting re-sale. Now a reader reports an organization that makes you promise to keep the screwdriver set and other tools it sends you to yourself.
"There is an outfit out there called the Handyman Club of America," the reader wrote. "Periodically, they send me an invitation to join their organization, promising me all kinds of tools, information, and benefits. However, one requirement of membership is I must agree to never share any of the information I learn from the club with anyone who is a non-member. Pleeeeze. Needless to say, the invitation gets tossed without opening.
Before he threw out the last postcard, though, he sent me a copy. The Handyman Club's mailing informed him he had been "approved" for membership, and as soon as he started sending his $1-a-month dues, he would receive a free 6-piece screwdriver set. But, in large print on the front of the envelope, he was also informed sternly of the club rules:
"Please keep what you learn here to yourself. Use your special Member privileges for YOUR benefit only. Keep any free tools or equipment given to you by the Club out of the hands of non-members."
Looks to me like the software industry had better watch out, as it's in danger of losing its position as the business that puts the most usage restrictions on its customers. The hardware industry is catching up, and not the hardware industry that you'd think.
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9:38:26 PM 
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