SNIP
>>>>No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of your Submission, as provided herein. Microsoft is under no obligation to post or use any Submission you may provide and Microsoft may remove any Submission at any time in its sole discretion. "
>>>
>>>I'm sure this is standard wording that can be found on many sites.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Dan
>>
>>Dan,
>>
>>Just want to point out that the real words that deserved highlighting are: "its sole discretion". One of today's devious MBAs will quickly realize that this part overrides any/all of the other words.
>
>... I fixed my bolding error by the way ...
>
>I figured that "its sole discretion" applied to the 'or' part of the sentence. "... or to edit, refuse to post or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in Microsoft's sole discretion." Let me know if I read it wrong. Besides, I don't think MS can, at it's sole discretion, override a law, regulation, a legal process, or a Governmental request.
>
>I think they should have used two sentences.
>
>Thanks,
>Dan
I agree with you, in the world as we have generally known it, on both counts...
they should have used 2 sentences and it should apply to the ORed part.
However, my real point/worry is that, in today's business climate, a smart-assed MBA (or other jerk of some kind) will look at this closely and argue successfully (internally, within the business powers and possibly externally too if ever called on it) that it's sole discretion trumps the whole paragraph, giving them license to actually do whatever they want however they wish.

No, MS cannot override a law, regulation, a legal process, or a Governmental request, but the smart-ass will easily be able to argue that these do not specify the limits to be applied but are really only examples. And, I argue, the examples could well have been chosen to sound legitimate and allay any worries.

Call me paranoid, but more and more of the business world is moving toward self-redefining the "standard rules/etiquette" of commerce and morality and I see no reason why MS would act any differently.

Just look at many web sites. Under the topic "privacy policy", which is always a link (so never exposed right there for you to read) you often find that you have no privacy at all. Isn't that just a tad deceptive? Shouldn't they just say, in the place of the "privacy policies" link, something like "NO PRIVACY HERE". It takes less space and communicates the actual message contained in their link.
JimN