Prohibited Uses?

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  • Updated 11 years ago
I noticed under your Code of Conduct ( http://photosynth.net/about.aspx#conduct ) you list "Prohibited Uses"

Among these "Prohibited Uses" you list:
"promotes or otherwise facilitates the purchase and sale of ammunition or firearms."

Why do you single out sale of firearms and ammunition? If you don't want Photosynth being used by for profit businesses, I can understand that, but you don't seem to prohibit the use of Photosynth for promotion or otherwise facilitating the purchase and sale of cars, clothing or any other lawfully traded good or service.

Certainly I can understand prohibiting the use of Photosynth for promotion and facilitation of the illegal purchase and sale of ammunition and/or firearms...or cars, clothing or any other illegally traded good or service) but the sale and purchase of ammunition and firearms is perfectly legal within the United States of America so the only conclusion one can come to is that you have decided to prohibit the use of Photosynth for promotion of firearm and ammunition sales as a means of pushing a political position.

Are you also going to add to your list of Prohibited Uses such things as "Promotes the candidacy of Republicans or Libertarians?" or "Promotes belief in God?"

The irony is that its Republican and conservative types that are heavily contributing to Microsoft's success. Democrats and other leftists prefer Apple products and the Anarchists are switching to *nix in droves.

I guess in this most intense of political seasons, I'm just tired of running into this type of discrimination-based-on-politics crap everywhere (hell, I don't even have any ammo or firearms for sale :p ).
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Zundfolge

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  • frustrated

Posted 12 years ago

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gh975223

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That is a Generalisation saying that the Anachists are moving to *nix systems, do you work for Microsoft?
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Zundfolge

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Yes, its a generalization, but not one completely without merit. But the policy I'm complaining about is also built on a gross over generalization (ie people buying and selling guns are all evil).

In the spirit of full disclosure; I'm a Gun toting, Republican, Mac User who also maintains a couple Linux servers. :)
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Thorsten

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Are you sure this policy is about pushing a political agenda in the US, rather than about avoiding legal problems in countries with stricter gun control laws?
Greetings from Europe!
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Zundfolge

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Then all they need to do is reword it like so:

"promotes or otherwise facilitates the illegal purchase and sale of ammunition or firearms."

Then I'd be happy.
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KevinH

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I can understand the frustration with having very specific uses singled out. In this case however, I believe it is more of liability issue. Photosynth would like to cover it self, with the recent myspace suicide court decision, I think this prudence makes sense.
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Zundfolge

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Furthermore, before they start listing specific stuff there's this gem:

In addition to upholding this Code of Conduct, you are responsible for adhering to all applicable local and national laws.

Frankly that covers their liability issues both in The States and out.

Still smells political ... if its not then its still an example of obnoxious trial lawyers ruining the fun for everyone.
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David Gedye, Principal Group Manager

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Official Response
Good question. I must admit to not having noticed this when our lawyers provided the final text of the Code of Conduct. I'll do my best to find out, and post the answer here.

David Gedye, Photosynth Group Manager.
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Zundfolge

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David, thanks for looking into this.

I do hate to be a nudzh.
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tobint

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Did you ever get an answer to this, David?