Microsoft sues resellers over software piracy

Software giant files 26 lawsuits that allege computer dealers sold illegal software.

The story "Microsoft sues resellers over software piracy" published July 17, 2006 at 11:10 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from Reuters expires after 30 days.

[jabbotts]

Good on ya

That's right, you heard me. Print this, date it and frame it. I'll say it a second time; Good on ya for entering into a just legal case.

While sharing software between friends may be better considered as grey space, businesses deriving retail value off pirated software is unacceptable.

The home user showing his neibour how to get his computer up and running with MS is part of how MS captured so much of the market; they demand at work what they are familiar with. Though not to the letter of the law; it premotes use more than hinder's sales.

Now, a business stealing software (be it Microsft unlicenssed duplications or Open Source not to the letter of it's GPL or similar license) only harms the progress of computing resulting in crap like the WGA quilty-until-proven-inocent tacktics.

[umbrae]

Remember the flaws of WGA...

I have several machines with legal and legitimite copies of Windows on them, yet they fail WGA tests. So if the following statement is true:

"...then tests the software and software components to determine their authenticity..."

It could very well be that MS is suing innocent people, and this is all a fundimental flaw in the WGA software, which has been report by MANY XP users.