Broadcast 2000 - An Open Source Tragedy

[Brian Densmore]

What cases are they talking about? Better look for an old mirror as soon
as possible, or someone who has a copy. I wonder what could be done to
prevent this type of lawsuit from winning? I read the MS license
agreement. The liability they assume is no greater or less than any open
source agreement? They pretty much say, 'if your computer blows up
because of our software don't come crying to us'.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gene Dascher [mailto:gedascher at multiservice.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 2:50 PM
> To: Kclug
> Subject: Broadcast 2000 - An Open Source Tragedy
> 
> 
> I was looking for the latest version of Broadcast 2000, and 
> This was posted
> on their website in lieu of a download option for the program:
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> After a long period of deliberation on the matter, Broadcast 
> 2000 has been
> removed
> from public access due to excessive liability.
> 
> In recent months the line between warranty exemption and liability has
> become
> increasingly blurred as more companies have liquidated and 
> more individuals
> have
> begun to seek compensation.
> 
> We've already seen several organizations win lawsuits against 
> GPL/warranty
> free
> software writers because of damage that software caused to 
> the organization.
> Several involved the RIAA vs mp3/p2p software writers. 
> Several involved the
> MPAA vs media player authors. You might say that warranty 
> exemption has
> become quite
> meaningless in today's economy.
> 
> While not related to either of these cases the distribution 
> of Broadcast
> 2000 enhanced to unacceptable levels the risk of an 
> individual experiencing
> significant financial damage due to the extremely expensive 
> nature of high
> end video production and the high risk inherent in professional video
> business marketing.
> 
> This has forced us to reconsider our liability protection at 
> this time. We
> still plan to continue offering minor works for download and 
> in the coming
> years, as the liability issues surrounding open source software are
> resolved, we expect to issue newer major works.
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> 
> THIS is why companies like Microsoft continue to churn out 
> crap software
> that has caused damage to organizations yet still thrives.  
> They have the
> $$$$ to litigate, so no one wants to go toe-to-toe with them. 
>  On the other
> hand, small organizations can't foot the bill, so they fold instead of
> getting dragged to court.  This makes me angry!  This makes 
> me want to smack
> the DOJ upside the head and yell "WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!"  Is Microsoft
> SOOOOOOOOOOOOO important to this country's economy that the 
> Govt has to
> pander to them by letting them get off way too easily?
> 
> If you care about this issue, PLEASE make sure that you find 
> out the Address
> that the Govt sets up for the 60 day public response to the 
> Microsoft case.
> Write a clear, concise letter outlining what a sham that 
> settlement is and
> MAIL IT IN!
> 
> OK, I'm done.
> 
> Gene
> 
> 
> 
> majordomo at kclug.org
>