Hidden EULA language: Difference between revisions
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Rough draft of types of hidden EULA language |
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#Making the full terms impractical or impossible for the customer to meaningfully review. | #Making the full terms impractical or impossible for the customer to meaningfully review. | ||
#Pointing to the End User License Agreement as a justification for unpopular and unfair practices. | #Pointing to the End User License Agreement as a justification for unpopular and unfair practices. | ||
== Types of hidden EULA language == | |||
=== Redefining "buy" and "own" === | |||
Some companies attempt to redefine common terms such as "buy" and "own" through legal obfuscation within the EULA. | |||
=== "Neutral third-party" arbitration === | |||
Many companies employ [[forced arbitration]] as a way to negate the consumer's right to pursue legal action against the company when they've been wronged. They hide this fact by using language to make it seem that the company is being fair by outsourcing issues in the company-consumer relationship to a "fair" and "nonjudgmental" third party who may act as a mediator during disputes. While this sounds neutral, objective, and even fair on the surface, it neglects the ways in which the company uses arbiters in their favor. Additionally, it completely removes the consumer's right to a class-action lawsuit in cases where the company's bad practice affects dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of other consumers. | |||
==Notable Examples== | ==Notable Examples== | ||