It’s OK To Use Pirated Micrsoft Products In Russia
- 5
- Add a Comment
As the story goes, seems like a school teacher in a small Russian providence, bought 12 computers for his students to use. However, whether intentional or not, the computers used illegal pirated copies of Microsoft’s software. The story is hazy as to what the product[s] were. Which doesn’t really matter, since most software being used in Russia is pirated to begin with.
What is strange about the case, is that one person was singled out among millions who use illegal Microsoft products in Russia, for prosecution. And what is even more ludicrous is even after being requested by some high mucky-mucks, including former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev who is also a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Microsoft would not back down. And throw in a over zealous prosecutor who was going to make a BIG name for himself putting a pirate in jail, the teacher could of faced up to five years in a Russian jail.
BUT, the Russian judge, under considerably public and political pressure, decided that Microsoft was not hurt significantly enough monetarily and threw out the case. Which brings up a legal issue that can now be used by anyone in Russia who pirates software. If you don’t hurt Microsoft to much, can you than use pirated software?
It would seem that this ruling could be a legal precedence that says to the Russian people, “heh, it’s OK to be a pirate.”
What do you think? Comments welcome.
5 Comments
Kyle Keeton
March 15th, 2007
at 7:49am
Dear Ron,
I lied, I found another,
Since I live in the heart of Pirateville, Would you be interested in a run down on the software available. The real Core of truth about Russia and software piracy. If you are, I would be glad in the next few days to put together some information,
It is ok, to pirate.
The man on the street corner in downtown Moscow will sell you any software, night or day. The citizens of Russia consider software pirates to be respectable people. That pirate will also stand behind his work, He is a artist at his occupation, He has a reputation at stake. What he sells you, will have a receipt and he will be on that same street corner next week, to replace no questions asked, bad software, Just like Walmart
The story of the school teacher is more involved than what you get on the outside world. Microsoft really had nothing to do with it, Bad Russian regional leaders is the problem behind that story.
By the way I am, not Russian, I am born and raised in the USA, I live in Russia, now, My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world, and Russian. I would not take her from her mother land. So I packed up and changed my life to be with the one I love. So my opinions are from a westerner outlook on a most wounderful beautiful society.
Kyle Keeton
Ron Schenone
March 15th, 2007
at 8:39am
Hello Kyle,
I accept your generous offer to provide us with some insider info. about Russia and the software they sell. Thanks for the information you have already provided.
I’ll send you an email with my address and I’ll do a article with you insight.
And wish wish you all the best. Sounds like you are happy and that is what matters most.
Regards, Ron
Kyle Keeton
May 21st, 2007
at 8:04am
Ron,
Even though, the teacher was fined $195.00. The statement is still one of, Its ok to pirate in Russia.
The case is not over and the teacher is appealing the decision. So the outcome is going to drag on some more. So while a over zealous prosecuter is trying to make head lines. The capital city of Russia, Moscow has vendors selling software everywhere. I could go out tomorrow and take the same pictures that I did before. Nothing has changed.
By the way I contacted Microsoft, I called and got my Vista legalized. Cost me $149.00. Total Ultimate Vista, $15.00 cost of vista pirate copy. + $149.00 too microsoft. = $164.00. (total cost)
The Vista was an experiment on my part, I have come to the conclusion: Microsoft uses the pirate situation to expand its software all over the word. The speed of selling 40 million copies may not have been possible with out the pirate network. Russia is selling millions of copies of vista, they have sold millions upon millions of copies of XP. So Microsoft has a distributing system, for Vista in place in all third world countries. A distributing system that they did not have to build, That they do not finance, They do not package. But a system that uses their logos and software, and puts it in every home, that has a computer. Even if Linux is free, The name Windows is world known. Just like coca cola. So people buy the 10 dollar Vista because they know it will work or will be serviced packed to work.
So like in my case, I bought pirated Windows. I legalized, many others do the same. I could not buy the fancy box version here. But I could buy the pirated version and convert. Microsoft has how to do it all spelled out nice and neat on their website.
Thanks for the time to vent!!!
Kyle
Tom Smith
September 12th, 2007
at 9:19pm
hey kyle just wanting your info on the products you talk about so please email me at t911smith@yahoo.com
roman
December 8th, 2007
at 10:24am
piracy in russia is one of the businesses which brings a great income to the owners. In russia it means, that it’s is practically impossible to terminate it. It is a country where money talks like nowhere else
And be sure, piracy is a regular thing in the minds of all russians. they don’t even know what a real Madonna CD looks like. Piracy IS OK in Russia. It’s a FACT.