http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2 ... e-internet

I remember when we got our first PC circa 1996/7. My dad got one of his computer friends to help come set it up. He recommended we always read what was on the screen because most people didn't bother and hence ran into problems. Consequently, I read every EULA for every bit of software that came with it as and when I installed it.

Back then, the EULA was often printed on the outside so if you didn't agree, you could return it without having opened the box.

There's still an ongoing debate as to whether you can be legally held to an agreement you only get to see after you've purchased the product in question.

In Germany it is certainly the case that a seller can only subject the customer to terms that were presented to him at the point of purchase (or beforehand). Any conditions which are, say, in a shrink-wrap package or displayed on-screen after you start installing cannot be enforced.

Apple fell foul of that here. Nowhere on the packaging for OS X does it say you must install it on an Apple branded computer, that is fine print inside the box, behind shrink-wrap foil, so it cannot legally be enforced, as the buyer is not allowed to open the package before they have handed over their money.