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Annoyingly this wasn't always the case. Since privatization this has been the case. Prior to that you could get a TOPS terminal/feed for a nominal fee and do what you want with it.

Now, it's covering arses and nothing more.

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It's not just CYA. It's also profit, corporate reputation management and empire-building.

Ironically, this is precisely the attitude that prevents companies from improving their product. Such a shame.

That's not ironic; the goal of a company is not to improve their product; its to SELL it. "Profit, corporate reputation management and empire-building" support selling; product improvement may or may not, depending on the market and the improvement.

Improvements are a cost-center.

In other words, CYA 'cause if people knew exactly how bad your service was, somebody's head might roll.

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