The American Bar Association took a look at the UCITA at its annual meeting last week . . . and shrugged. The Uniform Computer Information Transaction Act is a "model code" designed to standardize computer licensing contracts in the same way that the Uniform Commercial Code standardizes contracts for the sale of goods. Typically, after getting the ABA seal of approval, these uniform codes are offered up to state legislatures in the hopes that all 50 will rapidly adopt them.
Unfortunately for UCITA, its approval of shrinkwrap licensing has drawn the sharp disapproval of a range of groups, including the main professional associations for librarians and programmers. In the face of this opposition, the ABA didn't, as had been predicted, sign off on the UCITA, leading its sponsors to withdraw it, presumably for another round of tinkering and concessions. Currently, versions of the UCITA are law only in Virginia and Maryland.
Full(er) story here.