This May Affect You

The proposed Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act, or UCITA, is making the rounds of state legislatures across the country, with many powers in the technology industry lobbying in its favor. (See "License to Chill," February) But others believe that the law erodes consumers' rights—including the rights of schools and libraries—to own and use software. A coalition of these advocates, which includes the American Library Association, states their case on a new site called AFFECT (Americans for Fair Electronic Commerce Transactions) at www.affect.ucita.com. UCITA is currently under consideration in the legislatures of Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and Texas. Maryland and Virginia have already passed it.