European Commision wants software makers held liable for code

[Forested665]

Software companies could be held responsible for the security and efficacy of their products, if a new European Commission consumer protection proposal becomes law.
Commissioners Viviane Reding and Meglena Kuneva have proposed that EU consumer protections for physical products be extended to software. The suggested change in the law is part of an EU action agenda put forward by the commissioners after identifying gaps in EU consumer protection rules.
A priority area for possible EU action is "extending the principles of consumer protection rules to cover licensing agreements of products like software downloaded for virus protection, games, or other licensed content," according to the commissioners' agenda. "Licensing should guarantee consumers the same basic rights as when they purchase a good: the right to get a product that works with fair commercial conditions."
EU consumer commissioner Kuneva said that more accountability for software makers, and for companies providing digital services, would lead to greater consumer choice.
"If we want consumers to shop around and exploit the potential of digital communications, then we need to give them confidence that their rights are guaranteed," Kuneva said. "That means putting in place and enforcing clear consumer rights that meet the high standards already existing in the main street. (The) Internet has everything to offer consumers, but we need to build trust so that people can shop around with peace of mind."
The Business Software Alliance (BSA), which represents the interests of software makers including Apple, IBM, and Microsoft, criticized the proposals.
"Digital content is not a tangible good and should not be subject to the same liability rules as toasters," Francisco Mingorance, BSA director of public policy told ZDNet UK on Thursday. "Unlike tangible goods, creators of digital content cannot predict with a high degree of certainty both the product's anticipated uses and its potential performance."

See the rest here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10237212-92.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

[White Stripes]

Digital content is not a tangible good

really? so that means downloads dont count for anything? hmmmmm..... cant have your cake and eat it too!

[DaBees-Knees]

"creators of digital content cannot predict with a high degree of certainty both the product's anticipated uses and its potential performance."

You would never guess that from some of the claims made for certain software packages by the publishers and their tame reviewers.