12.07.09
Microsoft Makes Even the MPAA/RIAA Look Good by Starting a War on Customers, Vendors
Microsoft is being a hypocrite
Summary: Microsoft insults the very same customers and businesses that make up the majority of its users
Microsoft is shedding crocodile tears again. It has issued this insulting press release, which is charged with curse words like “piracy”.
Yes, the bullies from Redmond are now attacking many businesses for spreading their software. Only weeks ago Microsoft admitted that it does not mind this, having previously said that it benefits from it. “It’s easier for our software to compete with Linux when there’s piracy than when there’s not,” said Bill Gates in 2007.
“Microsoft declares ‘consumer action day’ to help fight piracy [sic],” says this article.
Software giant Microsoft declared yesterday to be a consumer action day, and took part in a global effort to clamp down on software piracy.
Microsoft uses shameless propaganda language like “pirated” and it has announced 300 legal cases against companies. There are already stories about some cases, e.g.:
i. Epic Computer must pay Microsoft for pirated software
A Lubbock judge has ordered a Plainview businessman to pay Microsoft more than $1,000 in damages after the court ruled he violated Microsoft copyrights and trademarks, KCBD-TV reported.
ii. Fresno firm BC Tech Gear sued by Microsoft
Microsoft is suing a Fresno tech company in federal court, accusing it of copyright and trademark infringement and software piracy.
iii. Microsoft sues local man & wins
Microsoft asked for nearly $1 million in punitive damages. The judge said in his written order that Microsoft’s request was excessive. Instead, the judge ordered Rose to pay $1,500 in actual damages and $3,000 in attorney fees.
Microsoft is attacking the very same people who helped Microsoft be more ubiquitous. What if they had sold GNU/Linux? What would Microsoft do then?
Well, maybe it’s time for these shops to rethink their relationship with Microsoft. “Microsoft throws book,” says this article, whereas the Seattle press plays along with Microsoft and does absolutely nothing to dispel the propaganda, which is filled with insults and tells only one side of this story.
“Microsoft attacks counterfeiters,” says The Inquirer and there are even scare tactics.
Microsoft is running out of steam (it already borrows money), so it is not surprising that it behaves like the MPAA/RIAA. Why does anyone still do business with this company? It treats its customers like criminals. █
Charles Oliver said,
December 7, 2009 at 11:16 am
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this mostly about counterfeiting operations, not so much Microsoft customers. The first story is about a guy duplicating XP onto multiple systems. The fact that Microsoft probably wouldn’t sell this guy XP any more is by the by, the guy was still counterfeiting the software.
My opinion is that Microsoft should ratchet up this campaign, increase the presence of WGA and all their other measures. The more difficult they make it for people to run Windows without paying for it, the sooner the company will crash and burn.
In fact, I have a suggestion for them. They should require each copy of windows to be registered using a credit card. They could then sell the disc for £10 and charge £190 to activate it each time it’s installed. The activation should cover a single install and not be transferable to a reinstall on the same hardware, i.e. it should be a one time license to run. Better yet they could charge monthly for use of Windows and/or Office on the local machine (why restrict this business method to the cloud). Another upside of using a credit card would be that they have valid name and address details for each customer.