Re: Consulting with counsel (RE: License problem with AmericanGeophysical Union)

[Tom Williams <twilliam@bbl.usouthal.edu>]

We've never had a problem deleting the "we are liable" language from any
license agreement.  Even if we could legally do so (by our university
lawyers), which we are not, we wouldn't go there for any reason.  This is
why it is so critical for us to carefully review every paragraph.

Thomas L. Williams, AHIP
Director, Biomedical Libraries 
University of South Alabama
College of Medicine
Mobile, Al 36688-0002
tel. (251)460-6885
fax. (251)460-7638
twilliam@bbl.usouthal.edu

On Wed, 10 Sep 2003, Rick Anderson wrote:

> > Rick, If you have access to legal counsel (either at your institution or
> > through other means), I would pose the question to them for an informed
> > answer.
> 
> Going to counsel is always good advice, and I'd take it if I were
> wondering what I'm legally allowed to accept in the license.  In this
> case, though, it's more a matter of willingness.  Even if counsel told me
> we had the legal option of assuming responsibility for our users'
> behavior, I'd refuse on the basis that to do so would be idiotic.  The
> fact that AGU can't see the inherent absurdity in the proposition is what
> continues to amaze me.
> 
> -------------
> Rick Anderson
> rickand@unr.edu