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