Amazon Unbox evil DRM incarnate

Amazon's new box service allows you to download movies and watch them on your computer using their unbox software. Now this seems like a step in the right direction, after all you can rent DVD's from amazon now, they just send you them in the post, rather than delivering them over the internet. However, Amazon's unbox service agreement essentially goves them full control over your computer and signs away any rights you might have. Its pretty ugly, Cory Doctorow has a great analysis over at BoingBoing. Amongst the most pernicious of the license agreements clauses are, translated into English from legalese.

• If you delete the software we will delete your purchased movies.
• We can update and change the software at any time, without your permission.
• We can change the rights to the movies at any time.
• If we think you are doing something naughty with the movies, we will delete them.
• We will scan you hard drive for digital media.
• If you leave the country we will delete your purchased movies.

Wow what a deal, read the scathing and detailed analysis here and whatever you do don't buy horrible DRM infected poor value movies from Amazon, use their rental service and rip them instead. http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/15/amazon_unbox_to_cust.html