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John, I think you may be overstating a bit. I don't mean to imply that I am for or against MSU contracting with Google for mail and other services. What I am saying is that if we are going to have an informed debate on the subject we should stick to the facts. There is nothing in the Google TOS which grants Google, Inc. "irrevocable, unlimited license to the intellectual property that (you) transmit and receive over the MSU email system". The clause that has people so lathered refers specifically to "Content on or through Google services which are intended to be available to the members of the public,...". In other words this is material which you have already chosen to display publicly, not the content of your e-mail. Second, the license Google is claiming are "for the purpose of displaying, distributing and promoting Google services." While this wording may be overly broad, it is not "unlimited" as you stated. As I said, a debate over these issues is a worthy debate indeed, but it will only be useful if it is grounded in the facts. Kevin M. Carr ************************** Bioinformatics Specialist Research Technology Support Facility 202-D Biochemistry Bldg. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Ph: (517) 353-6794 Fax:(517) 353-8638 ************************** > From: John Simpkins <[log in to unmask]> > Reply-To: John Simpkins <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:25:33 -0400 > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: [MSUNAG] Five more US schools go to GMail for email, apps > > http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13505_1-9768298-16.html > > ^^This clinches the debate for me. I think it would be terrifying for > Google to have an irrevocable, unlimited license to the intellectual > property that I transmit and receive over the MSU email system. > Basically, Google would own my research, my ideas, and my personal > commentary. If this is to be the case, I think MSU should pay me to > attend college. >