(a) In this section, "automatic restraint" means a program, code, device, or similar electronic or physical limitation the intended purpose of which is to prevent use of information contrary to the contract or applicable law.
(b) A party entitled to enforce a limitation on use of information may include an automatic restraint in the information or a copy of it and use that restraint if:
(1) a term of the agreement authorizes use of the restraint;
(2) the restraint prevents a use that is inconsistent with the agreement;
(3) the restraint prevents use after expiration of the stated duration of the contract or a stated number of uses; or
(4) the restraint prevents use after the contract terminates, other than on expiration of a stated duration or number of uses, and the licensor gives reasonable notice to the licensee before further use is prevented.
(c) This section does not authorize an automatic restraint that affirmatively prevents or makes impracticable a licensee's access to its own information or information of a third party, other than the licensor, if that information is in the possession of the licensee or a third party.
(d) A party that includes or uses an automatic restraint consistent with subsection (b) or (c) is not liable for any loss caused by the use of the restraint.
(e) This section does not preclude electronic replacement or disabling of an earlier copy of information by the licensor in connection with delivery of a new copy or version under an agreement to replace or disable the earlier copy by electronic means with an upgrade or other new information.
(f) This section does not authorize use of an automatic restraint to enforce remedies because of breach of contract or for cancellation for breach. If a right to cancel for breach of contract and a right to exercise restraint under subdivision (b) (4) exist simultaneously, affirmative acts constituting electronic self-help must be taken pursuant to § 59.1-508.16, including its prohibition on mass-market transactions, instead of this section. Affirmative acts under this subsection do not include (i) use of a program, code, device, or similar electronic or physical limitation that operates automatically without regard to breach or (ii) a refusal to prevent the operation of a restraint authorized by this section or to reverse its effect.
2000, cc. 101, 996; 2001, c. 763.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 59.1 - Trade and Commerce
Chapter 43 - Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act
§ 59.1-501.3. Scope; exclusions
§ 59.1-501.4:1. Consumer protection law governs
§ 59.1-501.6. Rule of construction
§ 59.1-501.7. Legal recognition of electronic record and authentication; use of electronic agents
§ 59.1-501.8. Proof and effect of authentication
§ 59.1-501.10. Contractual choice of forum
§ 59.1-501.11. Unconscionable contract or term
§ 59.1-501.12. Manifesting assent
§ 59.1-501.13:1. Opportunity to review
§ 59.1-501.14:1. Pretransaction disclosures in Internet-type transactions
§ 59.1-501.15. Variation by agreement; commercial practice
§ 59.1-501.16. Supplemental principles; good faith; commercial practice
§ 59.1-501.17. Decision for court; legal consequences; reasonable time; reason to know
§ 59.1-502.1. Formal requirements
§ 59.1-502.2. Formation in general
§ 59.1-502.3. Offer and acceptance in general
§ 59.1-502.4. Acceptance with varying terms
§ 59.1-502.5. Conditional offer or acceptance
§ 59.1-502.6. Offer and acceptance; electronic agents
§ 59.1-502.7. Formation; releases of informational rights
§ 59.1-502.8. Adopting terms of records
§ 59.1-502.9. Mass-market license
§ 59.1-502.10. Terms of contract formed by conduct
§ 59.1-502.12. Efficacy and commercial reasonableness of attribution procedure
§ 59.1-502.13. Determining attribution
§ 59.1-502.14. Electronic error; consumer defenses
§ 59.1-502.15. Electronic message; when effective; effect of acknowledgment
§ 59.1-502.16. Idea or information submission
§ 59.1-503.1. Parol or extrinsic evidence
§ 59.1-503.2. Practical construction
§ 59.1-503.3. Modification and rescission
§ 59.1-503.4. Continuing contractual terms
§ 59.1-503.5. Terms to be specified
§ 59.1-503.6. Performance under open terms
§ 59.1-503.7. Interpretation and requirements for grant
§ 59.1-503.9. Agreement for performance to party's satisfaction
§ 59.1-503.10. Licenses to nonprofit libraries, archives or educational institutions
§ 59.1-504.1. Warranty and obligations concerning noninterference and noninfringement
§ 59.1-504.2. Express warranty
§ 59.1-504.3. Implied warranty; merchantability of computer program
§ 59.1-504.4. Implied warranty; informational content
§ 59.1-504.5. Implied warranty; licensee's purpose; system integration
§ 59.1-504.6. Disclaimer or modification of warranty
§ 59.1-504.7. Modification of computer program
§ 59.1-504.8. Cumulation and conflict of warranties
§ 59.1-504.9. Third-party beneficiaries of warranty
§ 59.1-504.10. No implied warranties for free software
§ 59.1-505.1. Ownership of informational rights
§ 59.1-505.3. Transfer of contractual interest
§ 59.1-505.4. Effect of transfer of contractual interest
§ 59.1-505.5. Performance by delegate; subcontract
§ 59.1-505.6. Transfer by licensee
§ 59.1-505.7. Financing if financier does not become licensee
§ 59.1-505.8. Finance licenses
§ 59.1-505.9. Financing arrangements; obligations irrevocable
§ 59.1-505.10. Financing arrangements; remedies or enforcement
§ 59.1-505.11. Financing arrangements; effect on licensor's rights
§ 59.1-506.1. Performance of contract in general
§ 59.1-506.2. Licensor's obligations to enable use
§ 59.1-506.3. Submissions of information to satisfaction of party
§ 59.1-506.4. Immediately completed performance
§ 59.1-506.5. Electronic regulation of performance
§ 59.1-506.6. Copy; delivery; tender of delivery
§ 59.1-506.7. Copy; performance related to delivery; payment
§ 59.1-506.8. Copy; right to inspect; payment before inspection
§ 59.1-506.9. Copy; when acceptance occurs
§ 59.1-506.10. Copy; effect of acceptance; burden of establishing; notice of claims
§ 59.1-506.11. Access contracts
§ 59.1-506.12. Correction and support contracts
§ 59.1-506.13. Contracts involving publishers, dealers, and end users
§ 59.1-506.14. Risk of loss of copy
§ 59.1-506.15. Excuse by failure of presupposed conditions
§ 59.1-506.16. Termination; survival of obligations
§ 59.1-506.17. Notice of termination
§ 59.1-506.18. Termination; enforcement
§ 59.1-507.1. Breach of contract; material breach
§ 59.1-507.2. Waiver of remedy for breach of contract
§ 59.1-507.3. Cure of breach of contract
§ 59.1-507.4. Copy; refusal of defective tender
§ 59.1-507.5. Copy; contract with previous vested grant of rights
§ 59.1-507.6. Copy; duties upon rightful refusal
§ 59.1-507.7. Copy; revocation of acceptance
§ 59.1-507.8. Adequate assurance of performance
§ 59.1-507.9. Anticipatory repudiation
§ 59.1-507.10. Retraction of anticipatory repudiation
§ 59.1-508.1. Remedies in general
§ 59.1-508.3. Contractual modification of remedy
§ 59.1-508.4. Liquidation of damages
§ 59.1-508.5. Limitation of actions
§ 59.1-508.6. Remedies for fraud
§ 59.1-508.7. Measurement of damages in general
§ 59.1-508.8. Licensor's damages
§ 59.1-508.9. Licensee's damages
§ 59.1-508.11. Specific performance
§ 59.1-508.12. Completing performance
§ 59.1-508.14. Discontinuing access
§ 59.1-508.15. Right to possession and to prevent use