Do Not Use iTunes to Make Bombs!
One of my favorite random sites to read is Freakonomics. There is always something that I never thought of before on there, and today was no exception. They pointed out a clause in the iTunes license agreement that puts a damper on weekend plans. It says that you can’t use iTunes for anything illegal:
…including, without limitation, the development, design, manufacture, or production of nuclear missiles or chemical or biological weapons.
I don’t really know how anyone would use iTunes to make a bomb. Maybe this means that you can’t listen to iTunes while you are making it. That makes sense.
The other warning they pointed out is that you can’t use iTunes in any system that is used to keep people from dying:
The Apple software is not intended for use in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or communication systems, life support machines, or other equipment in which the failure of the Apple software could lead to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage.
This is understandable because you wouldn’t want to have iTunes crash your life-support system and cause something to happen. I would be furious at the person who was rocking out to iTunes on the computer that was controlling a loved one’s life support equipment.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks (Trackback URL)
Comments RSSComments
#1 John Keogh says:I hope Microsoft has the same clauses to protect them - although surely no-one would use software that keeps crashing for anything critical or public-facing.
#2 Galley says:Reminds me of the time I went to my first Hard Rock Café in London. There was a neon sign that said “No drugs or nuclear weapons allowed inside”.
#3 Todd Baur says:You know they put that in there because someone wrote them a letter or sued them over it. I can see Steve reading it now:
“Dear Mr. Jobs,
I’m writing to inform you of a serious misstep in your iTunes EULA. The other day while making a few biological weapons iTunes randomly played The Rolling Stone’s ‘Start Me Up’. I was sent in such a fit of dance that the chemical mixture was off. All of the insurgents are dead now. I suggest you discuss this matter with your legal team. We will pursue retribution sir.”
Sincerely,
Bin Laden
Hence the reason I hear iTunes 9 is going to be codenamed Freedom Tunes.
#4 Eric Fetcho says:The final cut pro user agreement says this exact same thing, but in all caps. I wonder if they all say this…
http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/finalcutpro51.pdf
#5 Bill Cool says:This has already been covered a long time ago in a funnier manner:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=macs_cant
#6 Ken says:This is a Common License Notification, It is included with all Software that Apple Makes, OSX Leopard ECT.
By adding this Release of information, it will release them from Any Liability that could Happen If you would Use any Apple Software Illegally.
If you Read the OSX Software agreement on install, Keep Scrolling down throughout the whole Document, it is placed in the Wording, And Very Large i might Add.
Really Does make the most sense for the OS, But since all the Software ties in with each other, It needs to be Added to all Apple programed Code.
Just Don’t use your iPod touch as a Detonation Device
Leave a reply