Re: [9fans] The new ridiculous license

[Charles Forsyth <forsyth@caldo.demon.co.uk>]

there is another aspect which is: is it actually bad if it's (like) a contract?  perhaps
contracts are good things.  they set out the rights and obligations of the
contracting parties.  more important: for the scope of a contract
they establish a kind of parity between small individuals and enormous
corporate bodies.  i think that's an interesting and indeed admirable effect.
i don't have to trust, i can rely on the existence of that contract.
that's why `loopholes' and `fine print' are nasty.
we feel hard done by, and fortunately the courts often agree.
indeed the development of the enforceable contract is sometimes regarded
as being significant historically.  even villains rely on it (eg, `take out a contract')
although they typically do not pursue their claims through the courts.