#543: Would you buy a car from the IEEE?
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Imagine this:
You walk into the Zercon Motor Company’s new car showroom and in front of you is the latest gleaming model right off the assembly line. It is the latest model with all the mod-cons and the friendly salesman states that it is the result of the latest scientific and engineering advances available to mankind. It is State -of-the Art. With this sales pitch you are very interested, especially as it also looks pretty impressive, if a bit complicated. But before deciding to take the plunge and commit yourself to buying the car you ask to see the car’s warranty.
This is what it says in the small print:
“Zercon Motor Company disclaims all possible liability for any personal injury, property or other damage, of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the purchase or use of this motor vehicle. Furthermore Zercon Motor Company does not warrant or represent the accuracy or quality of the materials used in the construction of this motor vehicle. Zercon Motor Company expressly disclaims any express or implied warranty, including any implied warranty of the fitness for this motor vehicle. All Zercon motor vehicles are supplied “AS IS”.”
After reading this warranty statement you would be forgiven if you asked the salesman if the Zercon Motor Company was based in Nigeria. After all, who would be so foolish to purchase such a hypothetical vehicle with a shonky warranty?
Not so hypothetical however when you read the IEEE’s latest RF/MW exposure standard C95.1 – 2005. They give the world the same warranty. To quote:
“Use of an IEEE Standard is wholly voluntary. The IEEE disclaims liability for any personal injury, property or other damage, of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance upon this, or any other IEEE Standard document.”
The IEEE does not warrant or represent the accuracy or content of the material contained herein, and expressly disclaims any express or implied warranty, including any implied warranty of merchantibility or fitness for a specific purpose, or that the use of the material contained herein is free from patent infringement. IEEE Standards documents are supplied “AS IS”.”
So next time you are reading the classified car ads in your local paper or the Trading Post and you see one being sold “AS IS” think IEEE.
Or if you are selling off an old clunker that would never pass a proper inspection, instead of saying “AS IS” say “Under IEEE warranty”.
Don
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