In developing the FEULA, we've often heard the comment that shrinkwrap/clickwrap license agreements aren't really necessary, since copyright law protects the publisher from piracy even without one. At least one software company seems to have that attitude, as a reader recently spotted a EULA that is maybe even a little too generous.
The reader was installing ElectriCalc 2.2 from SLK Electronics, a $40 program that simulates the electric flight system for model remote control airplanes. When the install program displayed the license agreement, he was pleasantly surprised to see that it read in its entirety:
This program is not copy protected. We do not care if you have a copy at home and also at the office. We do not care if others make copies of this program without paying. ElectriCalc is not expensive, and there is no reason not to buy a copy.
OK, perhaps not all software publishers could get behind this as a model EULA, particularly the part about making copies without paying. And while brevity is a virtue we're striving for in the FEULA, this might be so short and sweet that most vendors would indeed opt for no EULA at all instead.
Still, it's nice to see that at least one developer feels it can live without all the disclaimers and restrictions that most software companies think necessary. I don't happen to be in the market for model airplane modeling software. If I were, though, there's no question that ElectriCalc's more-than-fair terms would have it flying right to the top of my list.
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