[SATLUG] Siberian prison time for MS Windows use???

[John Champion]

-----Original Message-----
From: satlug-bounces at satlug.org [mailto:satlug-bounces at satlug.org] On Behalf
Of Borries Demeler
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 6:49 PM
To: Satlug Mailing List
Subject: [SATLUG] Siberian prison time for MS Windows use???

I found this in today's NYTimes - isn't this a bit extreme? 

Now I do understand software piracy, but why on earth would anyone want this
teacher to spend prison time in Siberia - isn't having to deal with Windows
punishment enough? Hmmm....

****************************************************************************
*

Microsoft Spurns Appeal to Intervene in Russian Piracy Case By THOMAS
CRAMPTON
Published: February 6, 2007

PARIS, Feb. 5 - 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.

The case of the teacher, Aleksandr Ponosov, has drawn wide public attention
in Russia, in part because the principal says he innocently purchased
computers with the unauthorized Windows software already installed.

Praising Russia's enforcement of intellectual property rights, Microsoft
sought to distance itself from the prosecution in a statement issued by its
public relations agency in London.

"Mr. Ponosov's case is a criminal case and as such was initiated and
investigated by the public prosecutor's office in Russia," said Microsoft,
whose European operations are based in Paris. "We are sure that the Russian
courts will make a fair decision."

"We do respect the Russian government's position on the importance of
protecting intellectual property rights."

Much of the personal computer software in use in Russia is obtained
illicitly, according to groups like the Business Software Alliance, whose
members include Microsoft. Many consumers complain that they cannot afford
expensive commercial software on Eastern European salaries.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia condemned the prosecution last week at
his annual news conference.

"To grab someone for buying a computer somewhere and start threatening him
with prison is complete nonsense, simply ridiculous," Mr. Putin said. "The
law recognizes the concept of someone who purchased the product in good
faith."

Mr. Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union and a Nobel Peace Prize
winner, said Mr. Ponosov, a school principal in a village in the Urals,
risked imprisonment in a Siberian camp for using unlicensed Windows software
that he said was preinstalled on the computers.

"The teacher, who has dedicated his life to the education of children and
who receives a modest salary that does not bear comparison with the salaries
of even regular staff in your company, is threatened with detention in
Siberian prison camps," Mr. Gorbachev wrote to Mr. Gates in a letter posted
on www.gorby.ru, the Web site of Mr. Gorbachev's charitable foundation.

The letter urged Mr. Gates to "show indulgence and to drop the claims
against the principal."

Sophia Kishkovsky contributed reporting from Moscow.
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And this is what happens when governments abide by the silly copyright laws
that are extended to commercial software. It is such a racquet. I feel for
the guy I really do. But Bill Gates is going to get his pound of flesh from
some silly sap who tried to do the right thing. I know there is a spot in
one of the lower circles of hell for Blll Gates and others who force these
ridiculous laws down the whole world's throat.