The fine print isn't always so fine. They mean small print. What's in there? Lots of legalese that no one understands or lengthy contractual obligations. Or, is it something more sinister? Say, ...if we came right out and told you in plain language what you can and cannot do it would sound really bad, limiting and unattractive. So much so that you would bypass our product, service altogether. Hmmm "sneaky, I tell you".

Is it small so you won't read it at all?

After all, they hope you assume that these conditions will never come up so why bother to understand them anyway. But just in case they do we have warned you that you the consumer are obligated in every way possible and we, the products creators are in no way obligated at all.

And, if there is any money to be made, rest assured that you the consumer will receive nothing and we the product creator will make all the profit however remote, FOREVER.

Houston, we have a problelm!

Society as we know it is changing; rapidly morphing, dynamic and unpredictable. The values of the nineteenth century are valuable in that they protect us and are largely based on liberty and justice. The methods of the nineteenth century are however, not able to keep pace with the modern, post modern, techno revolutionary world.

Fine print is simply a way to throw protection around the profitability of a given entity. Some of that is valid and has a place in keeping the entity viable but clearly we see more and more instances where there is a lack of thinking things through.

Companies are having to backtrack on their Terms Of Service agreements because of privacy issues and violations of intellectual copyright. There are other problems. Consumers are basically being hijacked into agreeing to things whether they like, understand or agree with it or not. If you wish to use a service such as iTunes™ you have to agree to their Terms Of Service (TOS) or not use the software at all. The implications are obvious.

We have entered a new era. There will have to be reform and understanding on both sides if we are to find common ground where consumer and provider are both protected. We've all had run ins with these pesky little details.

Are we there yet? No Jr. it will be a "few" more miles.