The industry argued that Virginia, as a prominent high-tech region, could make a bold statement in passing the bill. The result was a compromise bill.
Enough opposition can prompt necessary change or further delay the effective date.
Of course, the battle must still be waged in other states, which may wait and see what happens in Virginia. The consequences of unbalanced legislation will raise businesses' costs to negotiate, administer and litigate software contracts and disputes. Permits vendors to shut down mission-critical software without court approval and without incurring liability for the resulting harm. Allows vendors to prohibit the transfer of software from one company to another, even during a merger or acquisition, and limits consumers' access to information through libraries. Allows vendors to include such unreasonable terms in agreements as prohibiting public criticism of their products.