Microsoft spurns appeal in Russian piracy case

Microsoft rebuffs a public appeal by Mikhail Gorbachev for Bill Gates to intervene on behalf of a Russian school principal charged with software piracy.
The New York Times

The story "Microsoft spurns appeal in Russian piracy case" published February 5, 2007 at 9:25 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[alantrer]

Apple in education worldwide

You would think Apple marketing might seize on this publicity opportunity and reach out to this Russian school district.

[sanenazok]

Not Apple's market

Schools in the US can't afford Apple computers, so there's no point in having second/third world countries get donations of computers which they'll never be able to buy again or replace.

[Dragon Forge]

Interesting issues for all

There certainly must be some sort of reduced rate of licensing for windows products at educational institutions. If there is not then perhaps it is high time to take the write off on this.

I beleive it is time that the megalithic MicroSoft went from capitisitc "complete", to at least a partial, formal postion of altruism, perhaps by a specialized division of the organization.

On the other hand, in this day and age, what person, espcially a computer oriented educator, is not aware of the licensing issues of all software.

The actual politicized intervention by both prez's (Gates and Putin) would set a precedent that could seriously impede efforts to control a delicate situation (licensing) as well as the appearances of inpropriety in having initiated a request for intervention in the 1st place.

It does not realy seem that the prosecution is over anxious here and without complete details impossible to correctly delineate. But it is also interesting to note there is no mention of the vendor and any action taken against him.

[suyts]

Microsoft does provide special pricing

Microsoft does provide special pricing for educational institutions. I'm not sure of the price but when purchased, one can load any of the OS's that MS has to offer. The instructor should have known about the liscense issue.

[Commander_Spock]

Lessons in history: "Gorbachev...

... Tear Down Those Walls"; do we remember who said those famous words. So, here we are in 2007 with a powerful U.S. based computer company now placing their basket of eggs in a system that historically has been highly questionable with respect to the safeguard of human rights and now we have this same U.S. based computer company whose rise to fame has left the U.S. economy to maintain the "graveyards" of some of its competitors (Indelible Blue...) and are now saying - "We do respect the Russian government's position on the importance of protecting intellectual property rights."

Freedom Of Expression We Say!

Like those famous words - "Gorbachev Tear Down Those Walls"... Europe (Russian OS/2 Programmers...), the time is now to unite and free from its cage that 800lb gorilla that is IBM's OS/2 Warp!

[cyberblatt]

All schools, institutions there should go Linux

There are a good number of west European institutions who can afford to buy windows but they have smartly decided not to be milked by M$ on the long run. If M$ can dump the support for they own product after few years, why should anyone pay anything for an unsupported product.
Did anyone has ever collected even one cent for the greatest invention the mankind knows? I do not think so yet we all use it every single day.
The wheel!

[Commander_Spock]

One Company The Hard Way!

As is stated in this article, "Microsoft rebuffed a public appeal by Mikhail Gorbachev on Monday for its chairman, Bill Gates, to intervene on behalf of a Russian school principal charged with software piracy...". Let us all think in terms of when the European Commission engages this apparently forgetful U.S. computer company. Perhaps, the proposed daily daily fines (penalties, remedies...) for withholding information from the competition should now include "free" software to schools through-out Russia and the rest of Europe!

Forgetful and hardheadedness you say!

[sanenazok]

Got to remember

This is Russia and so the prosecution has NOTHING to do with software. The principal pissed off some local vodka/drug lord who probably was also the one who sold the principal the computers. While legal systems anywhere are far from perfect, in Russia it's a free for all. Just remember Yukos oil firm (<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukos" target="_newWindow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukos</a>). I guess we'll never know exactly who this guy pissed off but it couldn't be Putin since Putin has made a public decree.

[Commander_Spock]

How Low Can They Go; or,....

... is it that we are beginning to realize the crumbling of the Empire as it is known to be called. Geez, offer the rest of the OS/2 Code-Base to the Open Source Communities around the world and history might yet forgive for what you have done to IBM. With the ISO already having approved the Open Document Format Standards... a Modular OS/2 Code-Based Operating System that will be "country specific" might very well be on the ISO agenda soon. Then it will be for whom the bell tolls - it will be for the Empire!

Free "International Intellectual Property Usages" At Last" You Say!

[sanenazok]

OS/2 will bring down Microsoft?

Party like it's 1993!