I've just posted the next version of the FEULA, our model Fair End User License Agreement. But this time we're going to do things a little differently. Since the Gripe Wiki gives us a much better collaboration tool than the GripeLog, that's where we should argue out the fine points of how to make a license agreement that's fair to both sides.
Both the original beta version and version .90.1 of the FEULA produced a wide range of comments and suggestions from readers, and I think both resulted in some improvements to the draft. But the process has still left it up to me to decide which ideas to adopt and exactly how to implement them, and I am neither the most qualified nor the most neutral party to be making those choices. Clearly, this is a job for the wiki.
So the next beta FEULA, version .90.2, is now posted at http://www.gripewiki.com/index.php/FEULA under the EULA category on Gripewiki.com. Those of you who are interested in this sort of thing should come take a look and help us wrestle the FEULA into better shape. You can jump right in and edit the draft of the FEULA itself if you're really sure of yourself, although of course others will have the right to change your changes if they don't like them.
But I think the real work of fine-tuning will be done on the Talk:FEULA page, which you can access by clicking on the "Discussion" tab on the FEULA page. One thing that's surprised me on the Gripe Wiki has been how even a small stray story can sometimes lead to interesting, highly involved discussions. So I expect we'll see some discussion threads here that will reveal a great deal about what the real bones of contention are in the structure of software license agreements.
In fact, moving the FEULA is just the first step to a number of EULA-related things I think can be accomplished in the Gripe Wiki that have been hard to do on the GripeLog. One that I'll be talking about more shortly is to really get the EULA Reviews I started last year moving again. Not only will the wiki make it easier for other reviewers besides myself to have their say, but it will help us get past the part that's really been stumping me, which is how to develop a testing/scoring system we can all use and understand.
And I hope readers will have their own ideas about projects they can use the Gripe Wiki to develop. Ever since we started the FEULA project, many readers have argued that you can't have a one-size-fits-all license agreement. The FEULA can work for consumer-oriented software products, they said, but what about higher-end products and services? What about having a fair service a fair service level agreement and a fair maintenance agreement as well? And, since it's no longer just software that gets sold with unfair terms hidden in the fine print, shouldn't we also have a fair website terms of service and a fair privacy policy? Well, yes, we should. And now that we have the wiki, all we need to get any of those projects off and running is for somebody to step up to plate and take the first cut. How about you?
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