"<vendor> recommends Windows" is an paid-for advert, not a recommendation
SOME weeks ago we wrote about how Microsoft fakes recommendations and deceives the public. Now we have solid proof.
Let's take it one step at a time and see how this works.
In short, Microsoft informs computer shops that if they put some Vista advertising in their newspaper advertisements (or other forms of ads), there will be money in the bank for them, paid in the form of marketing money from Microsoft.
This is how Microsoft gets all those Vista advertisements all over the place, including big OEMs. They pay you for it. It's an advert, not a sincere recommendation. This may also explain why Dell's adverts for Ubuntu-powered PCs are accompanied by pro-Windows messages, as Ken Stark pointed out recently (Dell was subjected to
bad and exclusionary deals before).
Here is how the stunt runs. It begins with a message like this one (which we anonymised):
Hi [company name omitted]
Your company can get [amount omitted] in vouchers if you utilize [proportion omitted] by [date omitted] on a preapproved offer and post the final claim by
[another date omitted]. I have enclosed details of the promotion with this email, and am including information on how to utilise coop as well.
It would be fantastic to see you qualify for the vouchers! Given the end of life with Windows XP and the steady sales of Vista (GFK tracks that over 89% of managed retailers are selling Vista PCs to consumers), it would be great to put this towards a Vista sales incentive for your staff or channel partners.
Included/Attached
€· Terms and Conditions
€· Quick Guide to running a COOP Customer Offer
Any questions, let me know.
Regards
[name of Microsoft employee omitted]
Here is the Terms and Conditions document:
OEM Cooperative Marketing Execution Promotion
If you are defined as a System Builder or a Named Account in the OEM Cooperative marketing program and have an active enrolment status, you could be eligible for vouchers which you may choose to use to support a Windows Vista PC sales incentive with your sales team.
[...]
Terms and Conditions:
1.Timing of promotion. In order to be eligible for an incentive, you must comply with the specified deadlines. Microsoft reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, recommence or suspend either or both parts of the promotion at any time.
2.Tax. Microsoft accepts no responsibility for any tax implications that may arise from this promotion. Microsoft will not remit any taxes on your behalf, nor will it provide any tax-related documentation to you. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any taxes arising from participation in the promotion are reported and paid to the appropriate tax authority. All amounts payable by Microsoft are inclusive of GST (if any). You should seek independent tax and financial advice.
3.Microsoft’s decision final. Microsoft’s decision in relation to all aspects of this promotion is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
4.Limitation and exclusion of liability. Subject to any applicable law which cannot be excluded, Microsoft and its related bodies corporate shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury suffered or sustained (including but not limited to direct, indirect or consequential loss or loss arising from negligence) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the promotion or any incentive.
5.Microsoft’s verification right. Microsoft may choose to verify any information provided by you in connection with this promotion (including, if Microsoft chooses to do so, by contacting your end-user customers), and if Microsoft reasonably believes that you have fabricated or altered any information, then Microsoft may determine that you are ineligible for either or both incentives. You must, if requested by Microsoft, promptly provide any requested information related to the promotion or your eligibility to receive an incentive.
6.Supply of incentives. If Microsoft is unable to supply the nominated incentive, Microsoft reserves the right, subject to the written direction of any competent legal authority, to supply another incentive of greater or equal value. For incentives that have a specified validity period, Microsoft and its associated agencies and companies accept no responsibility for your failure to take advantage of the incentive prior to it becoming invalid.
7.Information submitted by you. Information submitted by you will be used to determine eligibility for one or both parts of the promotion, provide fulfilment of the promotion, and for other Microsoft internal business purposes. Except as otherwise described in these terms and conditions, information provided by you will not be shared outside of Microsoft and its subsidiaries and affiliates without your permission.
8.Your participation. You may only participate once in the promotion, and any costs associated with your participation in the promotion is your responsibility. Microsoft may terminate your involvement in the promotion and/or withhold any incentives owing to you under this promotion if it believes, on reasonable grounds, that you have:
a.breached any of these terms and conditions;
b.not complied with the Microsoft Code of Ethics or
c.otherwise infringed Microsoft's copyright or trade marks.
9.Acceptance of these terms and conditions. Your submission of such “proof of execution” as required for Promotion means that you accept and agree to comply with these terms and conditions.
Also attached is this:
HOW TO Utilize Coop*
1.Decide on an offer.
2.Create the graphics (for e-DM or fliers or both) adhering to COOP guidelines which are:
a.Relevant Tag line such as “We recommend genuine Microsoft Office 2007 SBE.”
b.Company’s branding (logo) and contact details (this can just be an email or URL or phone#).
c.30% of content supporting the sale of a fully assembled system preinstalled with genuine MS OEM product(s).
3.Send to your account manager for pre-approval.
4.Your account manager sends to US CORP for official pre-approval # (up to 3 working days)
5.Receive official pre-approval # from CORP.
6.Enter plan in the online tool
https://www.microsoftcoop.com/default.aspx
7.Wait for online plan to be approved.
8.Buy give-aways and save your receipts for documentation.
9.Start offer (this date must be AFTER the dates the plan and advert were pre-approved officially by corp).
10.End offer (this date must be AFTER the start date).
11.Enter final claim for activity in online tool (this date must be AFTER the end date of the planned activity where you WILL NEED the following in digital file format to upload:
a.Advert with pre-approval number from Microsoft corporate.
b.Invoice for specific give-aways (the invoice date must be AFTER the dates the plan and advert were pre-approved officially by corporate but before the planned start date.)
c.Digital pictures of the give-away item in your possession.
EXAMPLE FOR CURRENT INCENTIVE OFFER:
- Start Date: 10th Nov 2008
- End Date: 5th Dec 2008
- Offer: “Buy any Vista Home Premium or Ultimate PC with Office 2007 before 5th Dec AND get a free <give-away-item>
* For complete information on how to utilize coop, please reference the Co-Op Partner Guidebook available here:
https://www.microsoftcoop.com/aspx/additionalResources_SB.aspx
Attached is also
the guidebook [PDF], which is labeled "Microsoft Confidential" (what are they trying to hide?).
For many shops these days, business is rather slow. Microsoft is exploiting pressure and/or greed to increase mind share (perception), as vividly described in the "Effective Evangelism" document which was
'leaked' out of Microsoft during a trial.
Can the ASA be lobbied to deal with Microsoft following allegations of market deception? This clearly distorts and confuses, does it not?
⬆
Comments
Sheldon Huelin
2008-12-01 23:54:25
G. Michaels
2008-12-02 02:35:18
Your nymshifter immediately got busy and started shilling for you over at Slashdot. That was quick! Except that he uses a lot more dollar signs. Lots and lots and lots of dollar signs. It's hilarious, really. And he wonders why so few of his submissions actually make it to the front page.
Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.
Eruaran
2008-12-02 07:45:54
Its not "super secret" sure, but it is confidential (on the PDF), and many consumers are generally oblivious to the fact that the "[insert manufacturer name here] recommends" part of the ad is in itself paid advertising and not a recommendation as such.
"pretty much every company in the planet does"
No. Most simply give you free advertising and promotional materials (posters, dummy boxes, information cards, that sort of thing). Some companies offer incentives to promote their products, it usually involves pointing out to a mystery shopper why product X is better than product Y. And manufacturer X usually puts forward reasonable points that are actually true (otherwise its false advertising). This is not the same as blanket paid advertising that masquerades as a recommendation and must conform to a bunch of set requirements that maximize the false impression it gives the customer.
Needs Sunliht
2008-12-02 10:43:14
Interesting that *only* those paid are the ones promoting MS.
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-02 11:02:37
AlexH
2008-12-02 11:25:30
"Recommends Windows" is incredibly shabby, but the OEMs are party to this too.
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-02 12:17:15
AlexH
2008-12-02 12:38:45
What about the part where OEMs get paid when customers upgrade to Office later?
helios
2008-12-02 12:44:58
Nice shot buddy...clean and deadly.
h
Darryl
2008-12-02 12:52:49
We (consumers) know what we want, (as opposed to FOSS, trying to give us what THEY think we want). .
If i see a computer i look at the maker of the hardware, (ie compaq) and i look at the "SYSTEM COMPONENTS" like RAM, CPU, VIDEO and OPERATING SYSTEM" after reviewing the equipment (including OS/Software), i evaluate the price to "WHAT I GET" and make an informed decision.
SO placing an Advertisment about MS, INTEL, COMPAQ and so on is perfectly, normal and natural, and is WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN.
FOSS/Linux, you are so bitter, someone is better than you, and you dont like it.
GET A CLUE, fix your quality, and increadibly stupid number of Distros, get a quality assurance policy become customer and quality focused, forget about MS and get your own house in order.
but NO FOSS/Linux just want to destroy MS, why ?? because they cant hope to compete with them on equal terms in way of quality and consistency and you dont like it..
Jo Shields
2008-12-02 12:57:15
You're a bit dim really, aren't you
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-02 13:01:15
The difference is that Microsoft uses other people's mouths to make false recommendations. It's akin to the "people-ready" fiasco, which was AstroTurfing.
Microsoft pays star writers to recite slogan http://valleywag.com/tech/federated-media/microsoft-pays-star-writers-to-recite-slogan-271485.php
toe
2008-12-02 13:16:41
I actually touch on this on my website http://www.ilovelinux.co.uk in which I sayt that 'Dell recommends Windows Vista' type ads are just clever marketing.
There is a company over here in UK called Novatech who actually sold os free laptops and also claimed they work with Ubuntu and showed the Ubuntu logo.
The laptops gave disappeared and all of a sudden 'Novatech recommend Windows Vista' has appeared on their website.
Personally I think Vista is rubbish. http://www.vistaisrubbish.com
toe
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-02 13:25:52
nomasteryoda
2008-12-02 14:13:07
Just so you know, I've been using Linux since 1999 and have been called a Linux nutter for sure, but I can attest to the quality, stability and overall value of Linux vs. Windows. I can do anything I need with Linux and use OpenOffice for "Office" files as do many people tired of the upgrade cycle that is Microsoft.
As for Novell, I boycotted them after the Microsoft deal. Prior to that I used SuSe for several years because it was a good Distro. I've since moved on to Ubuntu, Fedora and Sidux. Having a variety of Distros is something the Linux community does well, though it can be confusing to someone coming from a lock-in single OS like Windows.
Choice is good and keeps our brains from stagnating!! Besides, I really get tired of all the Windows malware I come across when someone says, "hey, can you fix my Windows, its broken again". I simply say sure for $50 I'll clean it up and make the system dual-boot with a Linux distro of your choice. "Why put Linux on it?" they ask. I say because you can surf the web safely in Linux when the Windows box tanks again in 2 months because you forgot to upgrade the antivirus software definitions or clicked some nice trojan infesting pop-up window. They finish the conversation with a "Thank you so much and here's another $50 for putting Linux on my system!!"
Oh, if they don't have the original windows CD, I just wipe and put a Linux distro on it. People are flexible and understand money is hard to come by these days.
Ed Landaveri
2008-12-02 14:15:54
phil
2008-12-02 14:35:51
OK, so why are you offering the other product? Why waste warehouse space on something you don't think is good?
Ian
2008-12-02 15:19:32
This. The best way this type of activity stops, outside of legal pressure, is when the manufacturers put a stop to it.
Abe
2008-12-02 16:16:28
Good work Roy. Publishing this evidence is how an effective way to educate the consumers but non-IT consumers rarely read such articles. Word of mouth should still be used since it is the most effective with the average John/Jane Doe.
And for that dimwit who said FOSS/Linux guys are jealous, keep thinking that while we change the world.
Ian
2008-12-02 16:21:39
I think you make a mistake assuming consumers actually care about this. Educating consumers won't make any difference at all since:
1. For the most part, consumers don't care 2. It's the OEMs that are ultimately responsible for doing this, therefore, responsible for shutting it down.
RyanT
2008-12-02 16:51:46
Yes, they do. No one likes being outright lied to, and should come under more scrutiny than it has.
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-02 17:06:54
I've seen some accusations elsewhere that this post states the obvious, but it's not the stating; it's the showing (of hard evidence).
Ian
2008-12-02 17:10:37
I don't disagree with any of that. However, I believe there is a large amount of apathy as far as an operating system goes. In my professional experience, there's a healthy number of people that don't even understand the concept of an operating system, let alone are consciously concerned with Microsoft advertising.
The way I see it, to get anything changed, the OEMs will have to step up and do something about it or some type of legal issue would be brought up by a consumer advocacy group. Other than that, everyone who uses a computer will have to collectively realize what's going on and actually care, which I don't see happening.
pcolon
2008-12-02 17:19:40
Ian
2008-12-02 17:32:00
That's fine. Others might be arguing that, but I wasn't.
Abe
2008-12-03 00:43:45
I wasn't talking about the OS, I was talking about all the free/dom software they will get when running Linux as opposed to the bundle of money they have to pay up for apps when running Windows.
I thought that was obvious.
G. Michaels
2008-12-03 02:41:16
Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.
Abbas Khan M.D.
2008-12-03 03:44:03
I'm assuming for most people the story changes when something important like your health or life gets involved. Yeah software is not as important as someone's life but the correct principle is what i was trying to display here.
In the end, the point is you don't want someone who you trust getting paid by someone to peddle their very cruddy software (or cruddy practice).
-AK
Ilde Giron
2008-12-03 04:02:22
Are you trying to imply that as long as they don do it in the US, it's ok with you?
G. Michaels
2008-12-03 04:21:11
Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.
GreyCells
2008-12-03 10:05:05
"[My company] does *not* recommend Microsoft Windows Vista|XP|95."
or
"[My company] recommends you avoid Microsoft Windows Vista|XP|95 like the plague."
on any website - now *that* would be an advertising campaign that money could not buy...
Ari T.
2008-12-03 11:21:29
Merchy
2008-12-03 12:18:50
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-03 12:25:22
Ian
2008-12-03 15:12:44
I doubt it. The reason they don't do it is because, generally speaking, they can't assert the kind of pressure on OEMs that Microsoft can.
Roy Schestowitz
2008-12-03 15:17:15