No More Mr. Nice Guy

 

We all know that you can't pussyfoot around when your patent or copy-right is at stake. You've got to let would-be transgressors know exactly where they stand. We like the approach pioneered by Mother Jones' Son's Software Corp., in Buena Park, Calif. Its sales agreements clearly stated that, if a buyer dared to copy its program illegally, "ownership of your eternal soul passes to us, and we have the right to negotiate the sale of said soul." Just to make sure there was no misunderstanding, the agreement further warned, "Our attorneys will see to it that life on earth, as you know it, is completely ruined."

Copyright 1988 by Nash and Zullo Productions Inc. From the forthcoming book, The Mis-Fortune 500, to be published by Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. Printed by permission.