Having been brought up on The Merchant of Venice and various Victorian novels in which the hero believes the villain's assurances that the clauses leading to ruin will never be put into effect, I always try to read the small print on contracts.

I wanted to join a worthy discussion list cum e-zine entitled Human Beams which was one of many services, including shopping sites, hosted by an outfit called ONELIST.

In order to join Human Beams I found I was required to sign the (to me horrifying) following contract.

"Member agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend (with counsel approved by ONELIST) ONELIST from any and all losses, actions, controversies, demands, suits, proceedings, claims or causes of action of any kind whatsoever, whether by formal or informal proceeding, or by letter, brought or asserted in any manner, and all liabilities, losses, claims, costs, interest, penalties, demands, expense and damages whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of suit, whether incurred before, during or the appeal of any trial, bankruptcy proceeding, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution program), regardless of cause or responsibility for negligence and whether or not caused by Member, ONELIST or others, related to or arising, directly or indirectly, from (i) breach by Member of any representation, warranty or covenant herein, or (ii) use of the Service by Member. "

Visions of my life savings being sucked into defending some defaulting mail order firm eventually prevented me signing. Has anyone else any examples of internet contracts that prevented them from subscribing to an e-zine or list?


Regards,
Margaret

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Regards,Margaret