Comments on: Unplugged? Sue your ISP (at least in Germany)

By: Rob B

Rob B — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:05:07 +0000

Aaron, being deemed a ‘utility’ is simply a political term. It has absolutely no bearing in a free (read civilized) society. As Tom points out, shop around for the provider whose terms of service and reputation (and insurance offerings) best meet your needs.

By: Rob B

Rob B — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:02:56 +0000

Eldras, you’re not describing the future. You’re describing the past. Your failed communist / resource-based / people-collective economics have been well explored in the 20th century. The tens of millions of dead citizens should be enough evidence as to which system treats its citizens ‘like animals’.

By: eldras

eldras — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 16:59:30 +0000

Brilliant! People have rights civil and human. Capitalism was never designed for the people to serve but to serve people.

We need constant checks on our systems private and state to bring them back to serving us.

That must apply to private companies who must get away from what makes profits and is lawful to what serves people.

Otherwise the untouchables will be marginalized to animals.
The law doesn’t exist for the people to serve but to serve the people, and summoning contracts which are too detailed for undergraduate lawyers to fathom as a weapon to cut people off from the essentials of human civilization is socially unacceptable

I see the first openly futurist politician has been elected in Italy.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:54:41 +0000

I agree with Rob B. I’m also concerned that what seems like a reasonable decision by the court will, if widely adopted, actually turn into increased usage fees to cover all manner of litigations and abuses arising from consumer attempts to game the system.

So, clearly lay out the terms of service beforehand, and if someone is really that worried about an interruption of service, then maybe offer the consumer to purchase insurance, something similar to how I can purchase insurance for my phone from my mobile phone company. I simply don’t wish to pay greater connection fees to cover other people’s lawsuits.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:37:49 +0000

Can we do the same for water, electricity, or gas? I think that’s the comparison they’re making. Internet is being considered a utility now.

By: Joel C.

Joel C. — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:10:46 +0000

I disagree, Rob. I think this is absolutely reasonable unless this ISP had to unplug the Internet connection due to unforseen events beyond its control.

By: Rob B

Rob B — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:52:25 +0000

That’s nonsense. Unless you pay more than $65 a day for internet access, you should not be able to recoop that amount.

You’re not allowed to sue car rental companies, the phone company, the electric company, etc for loss of income when they fail to provide services.

Compensation rates (if any) should be clearly laid out before hand in the terms of service.