Gorbachev to Gates: Show mercy for pirate
By Reuters February 5, 2007
Retrieved from CNET Tech News
http://news.com.com/2100-1012_3-6156306.html
We just talked about owning versus licensing in chapter 3. Our textbook uses Microsoft as an example of licensing because they sell the right to use their various programs but they continue to own the programs. I can across this article that I think is very relevant to owning versus licensing discussion. It talks about Mikhail Gorbachev asking Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to intercede on behalf of a Russian teacher accused of using pirated software in his classroom. Microsoft is charging the teacher with violating Microsoft's intellectual-property rules by using computers in his school that contained unlicensed copies of the firm's software. Gorbachev asked him to show mercy and withdraw the complaint against the teacher because he lives in a remote village and did not know he was committing a crime. Microsoft responded by saying that the case against him was filed by Russia and that they have no plans to make a civil claim against the teacher. Microsoft also stated that they are confident that the Russian courts will make a fair decision.
I find this case to be very interesting because it appears to be influenced by the fact that Russia is cracking down on piracy in an effort to join the World Trade Organization. It appears to me as though Russia is making an example out of this teacher rather than considering the validity of the case. Whether or not my opinion is true this article is still a beneficial one for anyone who uses software. The Ethics Guide in chapter 3 on page 61a-61b provides a good discussion on piracy and how companies are trying to prevent it. The software piracy in the above mention article appears to be on a small scale, but Russia is not viewing it as such. If we, as a society, really want to stop software piracy I feel that we should fix the problem by making so that it is not possible to pirate software rather than punishing random people.
By Reuters February 5, 2007
Retrieved from CNET Tech News
http://news.com.com/2100-1012_3-6156306.html
We just talked about owning versus licensing in chapter 3. Our textbook uses Microsoft as an example of licensing because they sell the right to use their various programs but they continue to own the programs. I can across this article that I think is very relevant to owning versus licensing discussion. It talks about Mikhail Gorbachev asking Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to intercede on behalf of a Russian teacher accused of using pirated software in his classroom. Microsoft is charging the teacher with violating Microsoft's intellectual-property rules by using computers in his school that contained unlicensed copies of the firm's software. Gorbachev asked him to show mercy and withdraw the complaint against the teacher because he lives in a remote village and did not know he was committing a crime. Microsoft responded by saying that the case against him was filed by Russia and that they have no plans to make a civil claim against the teacher. Microsoft also stated that they are confident that the Russian courts will make a fair decision.
I find this case to be very interesting because it appears to be influenced by the fact that Russia is cracking down on piracy in an effort to join the World Trade Organization. It appears to me as though Russia is making an example out of this teacher rather than considering the validity of the case. Whether or not my opinion is true this article is still a beneficial one for anyone who uses software. The Ethics Guide in chapter 3 on page 61a-61b provides a good discussion on piracy and how companies are trying to prevent it. The software piracy in the above mention article appears to be on a small scale, but Russia is not viewing it as such. If we, as a society, really want to stop software piracy I feel that we should fix the problem by making so that it is not possible to pirate software rather than punishing random people.
1 comment:
The story of Russian teacher is interesting. I know that almost all my friends in China are some how using various illegal-copied software. FBI this year has claimed the major task of anti-piracy. On the other hand, news has reported that China is now supporting open source development so as to avoid paying for software and the piracy charge.
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