UCITA gets slight modification

One of the most contentious pieces of the Uniform Computer Information Transaction

Act — allowing vendors to remotely disable software on a user's computer

if the user was in breach of the software's licensing terms — has been modified.

The change eliminates the provision for software sold via retail outlets.

It would still apply to applications purchased by corporations, however.

The change was made at the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform

State Laws, which is held by the organization that drafted UCITA.

UCITA has drawn the ire of consumer groups that say it infringes on

consumers' rights. UCITA also prohibits license transfers, bans reverse

engineering and reinforces the terms of shrink-wrapped licenses.

The measure's supporters say UCITA will set a national standard for

default contract and software licensing rules.

UCITA was introduced in July 1999 to all 50 state legislatures and U.S.

territories. Since then, Maryland and Virginia have adopted the law, in

spite of user opposition.

"Gilmore signs UCITA" [FCW.com, March 15, 2000]

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"Managing E-Commerce and the digital content dilemma" [civic.com, Nov. 1,

1999]

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