Amazon Will Release You From Its Terms of Service if Zombies Attack

If there’s one thing most of us out there are probably guilty of, it’s failing to read in full those terms of service agreements that seem to be a necessary evil when creating an account on any app or website.

Most of us don’t even know what we’re agreeing to when we quickly check off the box, and companies are well aware of this fact. That’s why Amazon decided to add in a cheeky apocalyptic caveat into its terms that should inspire users to start taking a closer look.

Hidden in the Amazon Web Service Terms for a new free 3D video game engine called Lumberyard is a clause that states game developers can’t use its materials for “life-critical or safety-critical systems.” However, that rule will be voided in the event of viral undead outbreak, a.k.a. a zombie invasion. The clause reads,

57.10 Acceptable Use; Safety-Critical Systems. Your use of the Lumberyard Materials must comply with the AWS Acceptable Use Policy. The Lumberyard Materials are not intended for use with life-critical or safety-critical systems, such as use in operation of medical equipment, automated transportation systems, autonomous vehicles, aircraft or air traffic control, nuclear facilities, manned spacecraft, or military use in connection with live combat. However, this restriction will not apply in the event of the occurrence (certified by the United States Centers for Disease Control or successor body) of a widespread viral infection transmitted via bites or contact with bodily fluids that causes human corpses to reanimate and seek to consume living human flesh, blood, brain or nerve tissue and is likely to result in the fall of organized civilization.

So in other words, if zombies attack you can legally use Lumberyard anyway you want!

By adding a bit of humor into what most people would call boring legalese, Amazon got people to pay more attention to what they’re effectively signing, and generated some buzz for its product. If for some reason you’d still rather click “read” than take the time to actually go through those legally binding terms after reading this, just know you may be missing out on your legal hall pass in the event of the zombie apocalypse.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.