“Please, Please Steal My Software, You Disgusting Thief!”

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2008-08-14 11:12:14 UTC
Modified: 2008-08-14 13:01:47 UTC

Bill Gates told an interviewer last year that: "It's easier for our software to compete with Linux when there's piracy than when there's not."

In CNET, yesterday: Gates: Privacy a 'challenge' as software advances

Which way would it be, Microsoft? You need 'piracy', you encourage it, but then you whine about it, even imprison those who enable it (via the BSA and its ilk)? The hypocrisy is amazing.

Last year: Microsoft Exec Admits That Company Benefits From Piracy

Jeff Raikes, head of the company's business group, said at a recent investor conference that while the company is against piracy, if you are going to pirate software, it hopes you pirate Microsoft software. He cited the above reasoning, noting that users of pirated Microsoft software are likely to purchase from the company later on.

Also related to this:

This was covered here many times before. Microsoft's accusations are directed at the very same people that make their products widespread. ⬆

Correction: I read the CNET article as "piracy". not "privacy". However, it remains amazing that Microsoft cracks down on 'unlicensed'' GNU/Linux while turning a blind eye to illegal copies of Windows.

Comments

p.cole

2008-08-14 19:26:29

While reading the later post threads on dell and its "blacktop", there was a link to an article describing the efficiency of the TinyXP pirated copy of Windows and how "impressive" it was, including screenshots and detailed options; but mind you, the author of the article clearly describes its feature while saying it "does not condone the acquisition or use of pirated software."

Is 'apcmag.com' a news site, a blog and if it is news, since when does pirated software get a positive review from the media?

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