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Jul 19, 2012

Comments

1.

Caveat: I do not live in the UK. However, I can't say I have much sympathy for companies/associations that will likely protest these laws. No doubt it will be more expensive for them, but as I see it digital product companies have had their way with consumers for too long. Physical product companies have found ways to deal with similar laws (some well, others badly), so there is no reason to believe that digital product companies cannot. At very least the proposed laws may reduce BOHICA moments for the consumer.

2.

> Stuff we are just giving away – if the consumer gave you anything of
> value in return, even information about themselves, that’s covered

What rights do customers get in this case? Can a company choose to just "refund" the customer's $0, or is the company required to relinquish the information?

3.

"This is a consolation so most of it might not happen."

While accurate, this is perhaps a typo. After all, it's not much consolation.

4.

Stabs,
Ha. I corrected the typo now. Point taken though.
ren

5.

Gabriel says:

>> Stuff we are just giving away – if the consumer gave you anything of value in return, even information about themselves, that’s covered
>What rights do customers get in this case?

It's not that precise. I presume 'all the other ones'. So if there is a trial of something and you have to sign up giving personal info for the full version, then the trial must have been representative. Possibly the fact that this may be by law will provided a basis for other claims against the company. Or maybe data would have to be give up (actually EU level recommendations might handle some of that: http://www.virtualpolicy.net/policy-bites-eu-commissions-proposed-data-protections.html)

6.

Given that recently Steam/Valve, in effect, just waved two fingers at me and and told me to feck off when I was (in my view) mis-sold a broken product (your point "It’s basically gotta work".. well not Cities 2012 XL it seems...) when I wanted to exercise my rights under the UK "Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000", I have very little, indeed, none at all, sympathy for the industry in this instance.

Indeed, I'd go as far as to say that I view the current attitude of US companies (Valve in particular) selling to European customers and ignoring the country specific consumer legislation as atrocious bad business practices (and if you think UK country specific consumer legislation is harsh, you should read some of the German consumer protection laws).

I hope this legislation hits them hard in the only thing they obviously care about; their bottom line, and ensures better, and more ethical, business practices with consumers.

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