-Caveat Lector- ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 21:15:53 +0200 From: Jeroen Hellingman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Boycot Amazon.com [Moderator: For background on this post, see recent wire service reports from October 22, such as this one from the Associated Press on the USA Today site: http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/ctg494.htm A Forbes story at http://www.forbes.com/tool/html/99/Oct/1022/mu6.htm also gives some comments from some industry and legal watchers. - JMO] In light of the recent case of alleged patent infringement by amazon.com against Barnes and Noble (involving the use of one-click ordering of books, a trivial application of cookies or personalised web pages) I've decided to stop using Amazon.com's services, and would like to ask everybody on this list to do the same. Such vague patents on software and business processes are a direct thread to a liberal market with healthy competition and indirectly to the freedom of speech and democracy. I've written amazon.com the following e-mail: ------------- Dear Sir/Madam, I have always been a happy customer of amazon.com, and used your service with confidence, but now I feel forced to stop the use of your services. Reading about your recent patent claims against Barnes and Noble, I am heavily disturbed, because I think the claim is pushing an already bad practice of patent claims on software and business processes a bit further. I believe these practices are very bad for consumers, as they destroy an open market, in which competition can operate freely and isn't bullied by a few large players holding a bunch of vague patents (I am not wishing to imply that BN is a small player in this business). Such market practices will ultimately be bad for society as a whole. It is sad the patent office allows such patents, and I hope legislation will be changed and you will cease pursuing such ridiculous patent claims. In the mean time will resort to the only means of protest I have as a customer, and stop using your services, and will ask as many people as possible to do the same. Sincerely Jeroen Hellingman -------------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent via the Book People mailing list. Posting address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Admin. and Unsubscribe address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Charter: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~spok/bookpeople.html NOTE: ADDRESSES CHANGING SOON! Watch for details. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
