Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
It wasn't so much individual piracy which was the issue; a far bigger problem was the issue of a company buying one copy of the program and then installing it on 100 PCs. That's what led to the formation of software industry associations like FAST and BSA which paid "bounties" to employees who "informed" on companies using unlicenced software.
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Yes, the BSA, whose shoddy tactics include mass mailings to companies in a certain area, threatening use of Gestapo tactics against these companies. Never mind that they have not a shred of evidence that any of these companies are using any pirated software- they are just trying to fill their coffers....Trolling for gold.
I truly hope M$ and others keep it up- with "validation" schemes, threats, silly pricing (remember when a single license for M$ SQL server cost over 10K?). Because people, and businesses, WILL switch. The largest effect is already being seen in the developing world, where M$ just can't seem to realize these people cannot and will not pay the prices they ask. M$ sales are dismal. Even in Germany, Linux is routing M$.
And Ballmer is spouting off again, threatening to sue Red Hat over alleged "patent violations." But M$ won't show their evidence- looks alot like the scheme that SCO cooked up. But SCO is in bankruptcy now, while the courts continue to kick it about.