[FSFE PR][EN] As Microsoft repeal some Xbox restrictions, more apply to other products

[Free Software Foundation Europe]

= As Microsoft repeal some Xbox restrictions, more apply to other products =

[Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2013/news-20130620-02.en.html ]

Faced with user protests, Microsoft has been forced to make the terms
for its latest Xbox gaming console look a little less restrictive [1].
However, the “new” terms which had caused such outrage were not in fact
new at all: they were similar to most other proprietary software
licences, including those covering other Microsoft software products and
on-line services.

Restrictions on selling, sharing and gift-giving appear, for example, in
the Windows 7 and Office 2013 licences. Similar restrictions will
continue to apply to the Xbox one in that "downloaded titles cannot be
shared or resold" [1]. Geographic restrictions can also apply to Office
2013, along a class action waiver. Gamers who were angered by the
invasive, inadequate and mandatory 24 hour check-in and Kinect
voice/motion sensor may be similarly angered by the clause demanding
“you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that
only allow you to use it in certain ways. You may not work around any
technical limitations in the software” in the Windows 7 licence.[2]

  “Even after reversing course on some of the more egregious Xbox One
  terms, Microsoft still leaves its users wearing digital handcuffs,”
  says Karsten Gerloff, FSFE's president. “We encourage everyone to
  choose Free Software instead, and break free of these restrictions.”

  “While proprietary licenses restrict your freedom, Free Software
  always guarantees that you can use the software for any purpose, to
  study how it works, to share it with others, and modify it to your
  needs” says Matthias Kirschner, FSFE's Head of Public Awareness.
  “Users should not have to beg for these rights.”

*** FSFE's infographic about the Xbox restrictions is available on
https://fsfe.org/graphics/xbox-infographic.png - It is still unclear
what exactly the full license will or will not contain, for example,
mention of the Class Action Waiver has been removed, but no statement
has been made to repeal it. ***

  1. http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update
  2. http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows_7%20Home%20Basic%20K_English_1b4c2a3e-5533-431c-b57b-b986461b01de.pdf

== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==

  The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
  non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
  involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
  participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
  the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
  Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
  furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
  modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
  securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
  Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
  of the FSFE.

  http://fsfe.org/