The subject of software sales regulation is discussed in this very well written post. I must admit that any idea of regulation usually initiates a violent, negative reaction, since I affiliated (loosely) with a Church of Free Markets. However since I am not a fundamentalist in my beliefs, I can agree that sometimes it does produce positive results and also not always intended ones.

As software does more and more important stuff on our behalf, it is likely that it will face greater regulation. This may be no bad thing, but let’s tread cautiously. Regulations, like technology, often bump into the law of unintended consequences. This can be a good thing in software, as may lead to Accidental Awesomeness. In law though, it tends to hurt folks it was supposed to protect, or protect things that ought to be protected.

I will take on one of Vinnie’s points though:

Require systems integrators to be truthful

This was amplified by Nitin’s comment about outlandish sales claims.

Another one comes to my mind as a honorable mention as well:
- Regulate the advertising or hold vendors accountable for what they claim regarding profitability and efficiency. Vendors claim the moon - I cannot see any other industry where there is so much FUD and bogus claim

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