IP: Re: Another take on Microsoft-specific worms from Poor Richard

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

I agree with Gene djf

> Date: Mon, 29 May 2000 09:51:52 -0500
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: Gene Spafford <spaf () cerias purdue edu>
>
> At 10:24 AM -0400 5/29/00, Dave Farber wrote:
> > > From: Poor Richard
> > >
> > > more to the point: poor richard regrets to inform the offended digerati that
> > > microsoft is selling products that consumers want to buy.
>
> Well, the tobacco companies are selling products that consumers want to 
> buy (in fact, are compelled to buy after making an initial purchase.  Hmm, 
> more parallels)   However, does that make the tobacco companies less 
> culpable for selling a product they know to be dangerous?  Does it matter 
> that the consumers shell out money willingly for the product?  (Even those 
> who have some idea of the danger believe they have no control or choice?)
>
> There is a fundamental question involved in the area of informed 
> consent.   If the consumers actually understood the technology and the 
> risks posed by their choices, and if they actually were able to make an 
> unconstrained choise, would they make the purchases?   If not, there is a 
> moral (and potentially, legal) obligation for the vendor to make wise 
> decisions on their behalf.
>
> --spaf