Something well worth bearing in mind for many of us.
In my case, I work in the legal services industry. Our clients include some of the largest companies in the world Following a conversation between our MD and the head of legal at one of our clients we have all had to sign a new contract addendum. It specifically adds Origin to the list of prohibited software which users cannot install on any device (including their own desktop PCs at home if they are used in any way for business or share a business network or ADSL connection). At least 2 of our largest clients would also consider installing this software on an employees device a serious breach of their terms of employment and cause for disciplinary action under the process for gross misconduct.
Origin could be the first product of its type to really put this issue on the map for IT and HR departments everwhere. The EULA is extremely concerning for any business but more so in industries such as our own which live by commitments to client data security and privacy. This would also extend to people in the financial services industry, medical etc etc. Of course other companies will be invoking employee contract clauses simply to ensure that employees protect their competetively sensitve data and it is likely that people may have no idea they have made such a serious error in judgement until they are called in to face the relevant action. Fortunately in our case thanks to the action of some of our directors as keen gamers, the implications are clear for employees.
This is not Steam we are talking about here where one has a choice to have their PCs directly monitored.
The EULA is simply far to threatening and far too ambiguous. The legal equivalent of a blank cheque. In our case we were specifically aware of the game and its implications so IT and management were looking at this with a view to providing some servers for our regular gamers. We have found the team that games together works better together and bond more cohesively on projects and case teaming. However, Origin is extremely worrying. In itself, the data that the tool collects could end up being more valuable than the games EA release. With the open terms of the EULA. EA could be increasing their profits at the cost of the careers of some naive individuals and by selling competetively sensitive data.
I would advise people (particularly homeworkers) to check very carefully with your IT people. It may be your PC but your contract of employment probably refers to your duty of care in protecting your employers data. I am aware that our own employees have been rushing to cancel their pre orders in the meantime.
Locked until I can figure out what to do with this.
Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent
In my case, I work in the legal services industry. Our clients include some of the largest companies in the world Following a conversation between our MD and the head of legal at one of our clients we have all had to sign a new contract addendum. It specifically adds Origin to the list of prohibited software which users cannot install on any device (including their own desktop PCs at home if they are used in any way for business or share a business network or ADSL connection). At least 2 of our largest clients would also consider installing this software on an employees device a serious breach of their terms of employment and cause for disciplinary action under the process for gross misconduct.
Origin could be the first product of its type to really put this issue on the map for IT and HR departments everwhere. The EULA is extremely concerning for any business but more so in industries such as our own which live by commitments to client data security and privacy. This would also extend to people in the financial services industry, medical etc etc. Of course other companies will be invoking employee contract clauses simply to ensure that employees protect their competetively sensitve data and it is likely that people may have no idea they have made such a serious error in judgement until they are called in to face the relevant action. Fortunately in our case thanks to the action of some of our directors as keen gamers, the implications are clear for employees.
This is not Steam we are talking about here where one has a choice to have their PCs directly monitored.
The EULA is simply far to threatening and far too ambiguous. The legal equivalent of a blank cheque. In our case we were specifically aware of the game and its implications so IT and management were looking at this with a view to providing some servers for our regular gamers. We have found the team that games together works better together and bond more cohesively on projects and case teaming. However, Origin is extremely worrying. In itself, the data that the tool collects could end up being more valuable than the games EA release. With the open terms of the EULA. EA could be increasing their profits at the cost of the careers of some naive individuals and by selling competetively sensitive data.
I would advise people (particularly homeworkers) to check very carefully with your IT people. It may be your PC but your contract of employment probably refers to your duty of care in protecting your employers data. I am aware that our own employees have been rushing to cancel their pre orders in the meantime.
Locked until I can figure out what to do with this.
Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent
Last edited by a moderator:
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