I went to download Chrome for my Ubutu distribution. For some reason, I decided to actually read the EULA. I usually let the kitten step on the keyboard until that nonsense goes away. I would never agree to any of that EULA crap without a lawyer’s advice. In the middle of the EULA was a reference to:
“AVC Patent Portfolio License”
Another license which I, without legal assistance need to understand. Googling for the phrase gives me a great summary presentation.
Note that the title page provides this warning
“This presentation is for information purposes only.
Actual license agreements will provide the only definitive and reliable statement of license terms.”
In the presentation, on slide 2, second bullet, is “Align with AVC product value chain”
This line reminds me of the moment in my Draft Physical where the doctor says to a line of 20 young men, with their bare toes on a yellow tape line on the floor, “Bend over and spread your cheeks”.
But do not delay…
First Term: August 1, 2002 – December 31, 2010
Threshold levels to encourage early-stage adoption and minimize impact on lower volume users…
Call now… Operators are standing by… Limited time offer… (Did I pay too much by not waiting for the price to come down?) Does AVC seem like a scam to you?
Rate Protection on Renewal – royalty rates for specific license grants (except for Internet Broadcast AVC*) will not increase by more than 10% at renewals
This is my absolute favorite because I am a Mainframe Dinosaur. While the predicted death of the IBM mainframe seems to be long delayed, the mainframe software vendors continue to work to ensure the mainframe’s imminent demise through destructive software licensing conditions. Dr. Merrill and a few other have the right idea.
I’m with Shakespeare (Henry The Sixth, Part 2 Act 4, scene 2, 71–78)