>Dan,
>

>What about security? Their EULA (which probably wouldn't stand up in court if it came down to it...such ridiculous language would get thrown out) gives the right to look over any and all systems during an audit.

I'll agree there. Maybe there lawyers need some training or something.

>Who's to say the audit will proceed without valuable data being stolen or viewed? You think Borland or the BSA would even be able to be brought up on charges if a competitor "coincidentally" acquired some confidential information? Probably not. Your harmless little audit could turn into a business-breaking fiasco. Who is responsible for that risk?
>
>And if they only go after the guilty, then why can't they just follow normal law-enforcement paths? Get a warrant and proceed with the search. Borland is attempting to build a search warrant into their EULA. It's preposterous.
>

The big kicker here is that you have the choice. You don't have to buy the product.

I know that the EULA (which I have not seen by the way) sounds like that but I have to beleive that Borland would not come storming up to your front door and barge in and have their geeks go through every sector on every drive. I imagine they would include the autorities along the way. I don't think Borland has the abilty to bring criminal charges against anyone.

The thing they will look for is documentation. If you document your purchases and deployment I don't think they will harass you. How many companies do you know that don't track assets?

>So, a company's only ethical obligation is to its stockholders? Those are some big, ultra-capitalist words. So then what is wrong with a company getting a monopoly and charging whatever they wish. It's good for the stockholders, right? Why are monopolies illegal?
>

They have a financial obligation to stockholders.

Ethics are accepted principles of right and wrong. If the entire industry adopts a similar EULA and people continue to buy and a new company comes along and they too adopt the EULA, are they unethical?

You answered your own question. Monopolies are illegal because the people have said so. Has nothing to do with ethics.

>Borland can make a lot more money by simply building innovative products and charging a fair price. Sorry, but piracy has far ans away always been the least of Borland's woes.
>
>JoeK

Well, that may be. Since I don't work at Borland I could not comment.

Ready for break?

Dan