'A blog in support of stupid people's rights (probably the most important...)' blog

P.A._Ranoia

JimmyTheWig drew attention to the impracticality of reading terms and conditions of digital download licences before ticking to accept you have understood and agree. I stated my deep distrust of the motivation of organisations which create these lengthy and convoluted t&c. I have been giving this some thought since my original post of November 2011. (OK, so I am not a quick thinker, perhaps just the type Martin had in mind when he wrote the original blog.)

When we buy, for example, timber products we can look for FSC mark to give some reassurance they are sourced sustainably. This is an international scheme. It is voluntary for suppliers but in practice there is considerable financial pressure for them to comply as specifying architects etc insist on demonstrating timber is sourced sustainably. Certification is at the supplier's expense.

Why not a similar international certification scheme for terms and conditions of digital download licences? Certification would demonstrate they meet standards of fairness, reasonableness, privacy, etc. Security systems could be set to filter any that were not certified. I imagine there would need to be a legislative kick start from a powerful body, perhaps Brussels, as the many of the organisations involved have considerable financial muscle.

I dimly recall a few years ago there was an EU proposal to legislate on this but I have heard nothing since.