Micro$oft has entered into an agreement with BMW to use Windows CE as an OS for its controls. Does that mean that cars are going to start being covered by EULAs (End User License Agreements) and the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)?
If so, this scenario may not be too far behind.
Preston: Yes, well, if you had read the license agreement when you had the chance, you would have seen that Microsoft places certain restrictions on the use of its software that we at ABC Motors, as a Microsoft OEM, are obligated to help enforce.
In order to protect its intellectual property from possible illegal transfer, Microsoft forbids you to disconnect any part of the electronic system. Furthermore, Microsoft reserves the right to have us install updates to their software and their digital rights management capabilities when you bring your car in for service.
The horror … the horror …
Yeah, think about every time you have to disconnect your battery… you have to go back through all their rigamarole…
Well, it’s already a pain in the ass resetting all the radio stations when the battery get disconnected. (Why those settings are volatile is beyond me.)