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Technology Stocks : Discuss Year 2000 Issues
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To: Peach who wrote (111)8/10/1997 12:16:00 AM
From: Jeffrey S. Mitchell   of 9818
 
Re: How I would argue the "defective" cash register case

First off, good find by Bill.

I think the case would not boil down to the "defect" in the cash register itself, but rather the manufacturer's attempts to fix the problem.

First I would have to show that a software "bug" in the cash register was no different than a mechanical part breaking. For example, why should a programmer's attempts to "cut corners" and not account for the year 2000 be any different than an engineer doing the same to produce a less durable but cheaper part?

Therefore, unless covered under warranty, the manufacturer is under no obligation to fix the problem unless the customer is willing to pay the price for the part and/or labor. If covered under warranty, then it's simply a question of whether the manufacturer made a good faith effort to fix whatever problem was reported.

Bottom line, IMO: if Y2K software problems are treated like mechanical problems, then related lawsuits will be dramatically diminished since such problems will simply be viewed as yet another example of "planned obsolescense".

- Jeff

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