Bonum Certa Men Certa

Cablegate: Microsoft Asks US Government to Help Derail Vietnam's Migration to GNU/Linux, Wants to Treat Vietnamese Like 'Pirates' Instead

Cablegate



Summary: Another example of an attack on Vietnam's desire for digital independence, where the attacker is both federal and corporate (a hybrid)

Vietnam made some headlines in recent years as it said it would migrate to Free software in government (GVN). As we have shown in recent days, Microsoft has used some nefarious means to stifle Vietnam's moves towards such digital independence and the American government was helping Microsoft do that. Now we are seeing another Cablegate cable where "Microsoft representatives also highlighted their concerns about recent GVN comments that it plans to switch to open source software (like Linux) to "fix" its IPR problems. While acknowledging that the decision on what type of software the GVN wants to use is up to the Government, Microsoft asked us to help convey the message that the GVN should not switch to open source for the "wrong reasons." Switching to open source does not insulate the GVN from the responsibility of ensuring that all software used by the GVN is legitimately licensed, Microsoft asserted. Econoffs noted they had already raised this issue with the GVN."



Why are state department officials lobbying for Microsoft like this? Do they not respect Vietnam's right to independence?








UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000966

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EB/IPC:DRBEAN, EAP/BCLTV AND EB/ODC STATE ALSO PASS USTR BURCKY/ALVAREZ AND BRYAN STATE ALSO PASS USPTO FOR URBAN STATE ALSO PASS LIBRARY OF CONGRESS FOR TEPP USDOC FOR LASHLEY AND 4431/MAC/AP/OKSA/HPPHO USDOC ALSO FOR ITA/TD/OTEA/JJANICKE AND ITA/TD/SIF/CMUIR

E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIPR, ETRD, ECON, VN, IPROP SUBJECT: VIETNAM: MICROSOFT FOCUSED ON IPR

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

REF: HCMC 367

1. (SBU) Summary. While disappointed in the lack of progress in improving IPR protection in Vietnam, Microsoft remains committed to engaging the GVN on this critical issue. Microsoft and Business Software Alliance (BSA) representatives are looking at ways to encourage the GVN to adopt a legitimate software initiative and asked the USG to encourage the Prime Minister to send a letter to all GVN agencies ordering them to use only legitimate software. End summary.

2. (SBU) On March 30, Economic/C and Econoff met with Singapore and Bangkok-based representatives of Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) to discuss Intellectual Property Rights issues in Vietnam. Microsoft employees were both regional senior managers and corporate government affairs representatives. Throughout the meeting it was clear that while Microsoft is frustrated with the lack of progress on IPR issues in Vietnam, it is committed to finding opportunities to engage with the GVN and to work out a strategy to develop positive momentum for change. Microsoft representatives indicated they would continue to engage senior level officials, including at the DPM level, to prioritize IPR issues.

3. (U) Econoffs explained that the Ambassador and Econoffs frequently highlight to GVN officials at every level two key points on the importance of IPR to Vietnam:

-- The GVN has prioritized attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Vietnam. Strong IPR is a critical factor attracting FDI, not only in the IT sector, but also across the board. Econoffs suggested that Microsoft work with other international software and hardware companies (including its competitors) to deliver a unified message to the GVN that IT companies will not look seriously at Vietnam until there is better IP protection. Microsoft noted that the Business Software Alliance (BSA) included a number of both hardware and software firms and was be a good vehicle for making such an approach.

-- Strong IPR enforcement is critical to the development of domestic industries that depend on IP - most notably the IT sector. Econoffs recommended Vietnam work with and provide assistance to the Vietnam Software Association (VINASA) to help this organization develop itself as a stronger advocate for the domestic software industry and improve VINASA's ability to influence government policy vis--vis IPR.

4. (SBU) Microsoft representatives noted that in their experience several things have to happen before a country is capable of effective IPR enforcement. First, Vietnam needs a strong legal framework that includes significant penalties for enforcement. Additionally high-level engagement on the issue is necessary. Microsoft noted that in some countries, a letter from the Prime Minister to all government agencies (on IP protection, including the use of legitimate software) has been the catalyst for change. And, of course, there is the need for effective enforcement. Finally, Microsoft noted that development of the private sector is also important - a domestic constituent base interested in IP enforcement is useful in engaging government action.

5. (SBU) Microsoft wants to encourage the GVN to ensure that all Government offices use only legitimate software. However, cost is clearly a concern for the GVN as well as an excuse for the negligible progress the GVN has made in this regard. Microsoft is looking into the possibility of IFI funding (ADB, WB etc) or concessionary commercial financing for a GVN strategy to implement a legitimate software initiative for all or some GVN national government entities. Microsoft representatives asked that in our engagement with the GVN - perhaps at the next BTA Joint Committee meeting in May - we suggest that a positive and tangible step the GVN could take on IPR would be to have the Prime Minister send a letter to all government agencies instructing them to use only legitimate software.

6. (SBU) Microsoft representatives also highlighted their concerns about recent GVN comments that it plans to switch to open source software (like Linux) to "fix" its IPR problems. While acknowledging that the decision on what type of software the GVN wants to use is up to the Government, Microsoft asked us to help convey the message that the GVN should not switch to open source for the "wrong reasons." Switching to open source does not insulate the GVN from the responsibility of ensuring that all software used by the GVN is legitimately licensed, Microsoft asserted. Econoffs noted they had already raised this issue with the GVN.

7. Comment: Many of the factors Microsoft mentions as essential for strong IPR protection are beginning to come together in Vietnam. While the private sector still faces significant disadvantages vis-a-vis the state-owned sector, greater attention is being given to the importance of fostering the private sector development each day. New, albeit fledgling, business and music associations are cropping up with IPR enforcement at the top of their list of priorities. In addition, donors (including the USAID-funded Support for Trade AcceleRation (STAR) Project) and the GVN are dedicating significant resources toward revising IPR- related legislation, including Vietnam's Civil Code, Civil Procedure Code and regulations on remedies. However, the GVN is not "leading by example" on the issue of copyright piracy. Government agencies of all shapes and sizes are loaded down with pirated software. An effort by the GVN to move toward comprehensive use of legitimate software - even if it is done ministry by ministry - would be a significant step forward and we should do everything we can to encourage and support such an effort. BURGHARDT







These cables are crucial bits of evidence that show how Microsoft uses politics to get deals rather than rely on technical merit. There is also a subversion of laws in other countries (US-style laws imposed). At a later date we are going to organise all this evidence in our wiki.

Recent Techrights' Posts

Two Risks to Companies: The Microsoft Culture and the Microsoft Tools
Novell was killed by a form of "social engineering" by Microsoft
It's Hard to Trust People Who Worked - Not Only Those Who Still Work - at Microsoft
Bryan Lunduke is just what people would call an "arsehole of a person"
Links 06/07/2025: Climate Change and "The Right to Criticise"
Links for the day
The Mainstream Media Took 4 Days to Realise Microsoft Shut Down Its Operations in Pakistan and Fired Everybody
We estimate that Microsoft has had about 29,000 layoffs since January
“Twibel” Actions Against Comedians (and Why It's a Truly Low Blow)
they try to make up in quantities for a lack of merit or quality
 
[Video] "Copyleft Isn't a Bug."
"Copyleft isn’t a bug. It’s a feature. GNU GPL forced the world to treat code like a public good."
Being in Social Control Media Means Exposing Oneself to Heckling
Richard Stallman does not (either himself or directly) post to any social control media
Links 06/07/2025: Airlines Perils, Scams, and Breaches
Links for the day
For the Second Time, Bryan Lunduke From Microsoft is Siccing Racist Trolls and Vandals at Me
You're only reinforcing the point we made yesterday
Links 06/07/2025: End to End Encryption at Risk, Reuters Twitter ("X") Account Withheld in India
Links for the day
Gemini Links 06/07/2025: Tinylog and Certification Rotation
Links for the day
PCLinuxOS Sites Coming Back, Gradually
let's just be patient
Social Control Media, Even If Based on Free Software, Still Has Many Problems
a distraction from what actually mattered and still matters
IBM is Not Your Master
IBM makes friends with people who exclude the majority of the population: women
Help Fund the Free Software Foundation (FSF)
If you have some dollars to spare, go support the FSF
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Saturday, July 05, 2025
IRC logs for Saturday, July 05, 2025
A Short History of Attacks on Techrights (and Boycott Novell Before That)
good opportunity to tell again the story of several (not all) attempts to silence us
Leadership in Free Software
Don't let IBM lead. It's a terrible flag bearer.
Linux Foundation Apparently Flirting With Slop (Marketing by LLM-Generated SPAM)
The Web is in a really bad state!
COVID-19 Sped Up Site Improvements in Techrights
A few months later we created our very own IRC network
Gemini Links 05/07/2025: Negative Questions and 'Touching Grass' (Going Outside)
Links for the day
Links 05/07/2025: Dalai Lama Succession as 90th Birthday Approaches, 40 deg C in China
Links for the day
Links 05/07/2025: Hungary and US Defecting to Russia, "Google's Hotseat Hypocrisy"
Links for the day
Gemini Links 05/07/2025: 4th of July 2025 and "Zig Roadmap 2026"
Links for the day
How to Combat the Exploitation and Abuse by Microsoft GitHub
Not to mention corruption and crimes against women
Bryan Lunduke is Actually Sending His Audience to Attack People
"[Lunduke] is actually sending his audience to attack people."
Even The Right Wing is Rejecting Bryan Lunduke
no wonder he became so irrelevant and marginal
Microsoft's MSN Helps Microsoft Spread Lies About the Layoffs' Scale (Well Over 25,000 People Laid Off This Year)
There seem to be monopolies on lies and on truth
The Death of X Has Been Greatly Exaggerated (by Compromised Media)
X.Org Server is alive and well
Rewriting Things in Rust
How far would you go?
In 2025 Everything is "AI". Remember Blockchains?
Talk about what companies and things (services, products, software) actually do, not the labels they use
Julian Assange Has Been Free for a Year
Julian Assange and I disagreed on some things
Monopolies and Scalping
Monopolies gravitate towards price hikes
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, July 04, 2025
IRC logs for Friday, July 04, 2025
Microsoft's August Layoffs Wave: "August is Confirmed for Additional Performance Based Cuts"
"August is confirmed for additional performance based cuts from the recent connects along with additional organizational cuts."
What Microsoft Reputation Laundering (With a Weaponised Law Degree) Looks Like in a Foreign Continent
You would expect this in uncivilised and primitive countries
Slopwatch: LLMs 'Write' Fake or Distorted 'News' About "Linux"
LLM slop disguised as news
Links 04/07/2025: Google Replaces the Web With Slop, "AI Might Kill Us All"
Links for the day
Gemini Links 04/07/2025: Mindfulness and F1
Links for the day
Weeks After Microsoft Bankruptcy in Russia the Company Shuts Down in Pakistan, Too
Last month Windows' share in Pakistan fell to an all-time low
Rob Musial's June 2025 Additions of Malware in Proprietary Software
Via the GNU Web site this week
Links 04/07/2025: Microsoft's H-1B Visa Applications Show Another Crisis Unfolding, Many More Deep Cuts and Shutdowns Revealed, Complete Microsoft Exits
Links for the day
Gemini Links 04/07/2025: A Day To Remember and "Stop Killing Games"
Links for the day
Crime and Corruption at Microsoft GitHub Cannot be Covered Up by SLAPPs in Another Continent
We'll write about this for a long time to come
Slop Videos Are Disappointing Garbage, Nothing New, Just Brute Force up on Display or a Pedestal of Slop
Slop videos aren't a new thing
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, July 03, 2025
IRC logs for Thursday, July 03, 2025
The War on Local Storage (People Hosting Their Files Locally and Privately)
There's nothing wrong with controlling one's computing
What Digital Independence Means
Independence in the digital realms means abandoning platforms like GitHub, not just rejecting proprietary software
NVidia is a Bubble
they temporarily see fortunes and wrongly assume perpetuity thereof
Fedora Does Not Care About Diversity and Inclusion, It's About Optics (Corporate Image)
any notion of inclusion is superficial and misleading
Don't Buy the Excuses for Microsoft's Mass Layoffs
Back in the 90s, Microsoft bought a lot of companies to get and stay ahead