AOL's Terms of Service Update for AIM Raises Eyebrows

[tuvor]

America Online, Inc. has quietly updated the terms of service for its AIM instant messaging application, making several changes that is sure to raise the hackles of Internet privacy advocates.

The revamped terms of service, which apply only to users who downloaded the free AIM software on or after Feb. 5, 2004, gives AOL the right to "reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote" all content distributed across the chat network by users.

"You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses," according to the AIM terms-of-service.

Although the user will retain ownership of the content passed through the AIM network, the terms give AOL ownership of "all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this content.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1775649,00.asp

[w4rma]

1. Don't send anything important across that network.

Sounds like they have written their agreement so that they can monitor their network and that anything sent across their network they can copyright as their own.

[CountAllVotes]

2. better yet ...

Do not install it on your computer period. Apparently it writes something on to one of the main chips and you can never get rid of this even if you reformat.

AOL sucks imo. :puke:

[Goldom]

5. While I agree AOL software is as bad as a virus,

I really doubt that about writing onto a chip in the computer. That's not something that any old program can do, especially without you knowing. Doing something like updating the BIOS (which is writing onto a hardware chip) is a pain, and can wipe out your computer for good if done wrong. If AOL was doing this, people would know about it.

[BlueEyedSon]

9. That is not posible. No one (i.e. software) can "write to your chips".

[Ian David]

3. Kick and nominate for top

[Trillo]

4. How can a subscriber retain "ownership"

when AOL grabs "ownership" of rights without compensation?

That's not what was intended by copyright. Perhaps this will be tested in court someday.

[InvisibleTouch]

6. Several years ago, Geocities did a similar thing.

Their new service agreement stated that they claimed ownership of any content that was posted on web sites hosted by Geocities - including the right to reproduce, distribute, and profit from it. It caused such an uproar that they very quickly backed away from this policy - but they lost a lot of subscribers, including this one. I've never trusted them again. On the positive side, it goaded me into finally buying my own domain. Maybe a huge public outcry against AOL would send them a wake-up call?

[TreasonousBastard]

7. Well, I got my AIM long before 2/5...

but I am curious what other ISPs, like Earthlink, who give away AIM with their service, think about this.

Personally, I don't think they're going to get away with it for long, 'specially since they are trying so hard to get that corporate business. Even if it doesn't apply to premium services, anyone should be wary of any company that doesn't pledge to keep secrets. Too much confusion between corporate and personal use.

[riverwalker]

8. I recall Gannon/Guckert had AOL account

Wonder if AOL would "reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote" his pimping/whoring and outing CIA agent type messages.