For those paying close attention to Google's Chrome roll-out (see: nerds like me), you may have noticed something fishy in the Terms and Conditions: a clause that afforded Google ownership of any content you submitted through the browser, along with the right to distribute it however they saw fit.Outraged? Well, you certainly have every right to be -- at least, that is, until today. Either in response to the subdued message-board buzz over the clause, or in a fit of moral realization, Google cut a few hundred words regarding content ownership from Chrome's T&C, leaving it simply: "You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services."
It was a move that seemed somehow both incredibly Google-ish (in wanting to make
the world's content available and searchable) and un-Google-like (in being somewhat furtive and dishonest to their customers). The funny thing is, I started writing this post in Chrome last night when the T&C still, for all I knew, afforded Google the rights to my content. Part of me thought this wasn't a big deal, and the other part of me thought that if Google was doing it, then it must be okay.
So I wonder: would you, dear Gatherers, have been less inclined to use Chrome if those terms and conditions still applied? How important to you is it that you 'own' the copyright to such things as your Gather posts and other similar online content?
Hit me with your answer below, and read on for what Chrome's T&C originally said before the more, erm, socially acceptable change.
(For the record, aside from the T&C snafu, Chrome is pretty killer so far. It's sleek, fast-as-hell, and easy to use. I highly recommended checking it out. Just be sure to read the fine print first.)
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11. Content license from you
11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.
11.2 You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.
11.3 You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this license shall permit Google to take these actions.
11.4 You confirm and warrant to Google that you have all the rights, power and authority necessary to grant the above license.
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Comments: 12
Nothing gonna happen, they sure make changes in future...
Cheer up...
I use Chrome and find it super fast...
I just posted a new post saying that I love Google Chrome... Hmmmm.. But I didn't know about THIS!
It is really fast. I agree with Syed.