How Corporations (in this case Electronic Arts) Literally Require Your to Give Up Your Rights, In Order to Play Games

Here’s the text…(Note, this is from the updated version of the Origin software…each time it updates (and it’s still currently Beta), you have to have agree again…no refund button that I can see if you would prefer to demure).

And this is my point.  At no point in the purchasing of this product (Battlefield 3), was I informed I had to download another product (Origin, an EA marketing platform, required by Battlefield 3 to run properly). which would require me to give up my rights in order to use them.

17. Dispute Resolution By Binding Arbitration.
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS.
A. Most user concerns can be resolved quickly and to your satisfaction by logging into our customer support interface with your Account at http://support.ea.com/. In the unlikely event that EA cannot resolve a concern to your satisfaction (or if EA cannot resolve a concern it has with you after attempting to do so informally), then you and EA agree to be bound by the following procedure to resolve any and all disputes between us. This provision applies to all consumers to the fullest extent allowable by law, but expressly excludes residents of Quebec, Russia, Switzerland and the Member States of the European Union. By entering into this Agreement, you and EA expressly waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. This agreement is intended to be interpreted broadly. It covers any and all disputes between us (“Disputes”), including without limitation:
(a) claims arising out of or relating to any aspect of the relationship between us, whether based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory;
(b) claims that arose before this Agreement or any prior agreement (including, but not limited to, claims relating to advertising);
(c) claims that are currently the subject of purported class action litigation in which you are not a member of a certified class; and
(d) claims that may arise after the termination of this Agreement.

Note that last one…anything and everything this company (or any company that buys this company) every does to you, you’ve just given up your right to do anything about it.

These clauses are now common (AND BINDING IN THE UNITED STATES)  thanks to the Supreme Court decision covered back here.

I would hope, somehow, that entertainment product requiring the giving up of rights like this would be banned…but then again…they could just require you give up that right too.

The question is if this is going to hurt them in the marketplace.   Will it matter?  Or will it not matter until it’s too late, and someone does go  nefarious with this stuff (i.e a foreign government/corporation builds an intentional trojan) and we get the plot to a cool movie.

Group Funded By and For the 1% attacks female politician for.having intelligence, doing research, and inspiring people

GOP ad zeros in on Elizabeth Warren’s Occupy stance – BostonHerald.com http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/2011_1110gop_ad_zeros_in_on_elizabeth_warrens_occupy_stance/

A Karl Rove-advised political group unveiled a wide-release ad today whacking Democratic Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren for her support of the “Occupy” movement, and indicating she values the protest more than job creation.

“Fourteen million out of work, but instead of focusing on jobs, Elizabeth Warren sides with extreme left protests,” a voiceover says in the ad as text identifies Warren as “professor.”

“Why pay any attention at all to the policies that led to financial collapse,” says the guy who sold them to the nation, “that lady has book learnin’.  Socialist whore!”

Does everyone now understand why Rick Perry refused to debate Bill White during the Governor’s campaign?

UPDATE 1-Republican Perry vows to press on after gaffe http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSN1E7A91CF20111110?irpc=932

GREENVILLE, S.C., Nov 10 (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry vowed to press on with his campaign on Thursday, a day after a major debate stumble and turned to humor to try to answer doubts about his 2012 bid.

“One error is not going to make or break a campaign,” he said on the CBS “Early Show.”

Perry, already facing an uphill struggle to make a comeback, made a difficult situation worse on Wednesday by forgetting one of the three government agencies that he has repeatedly said he would eliminate if elected president.

The thing is…this isn’t his only mistake, only the latest and most ridiculous.