Russia cracks down on piracy, defends Microsoft
A Russian teacher has been fined $194 for using pirated copies of Windows and Office on no less than 12 classroom computers. He claims that he did not know the computers had pirated software installed when he took delivery. They never do.
I’m not saying that he did or didn’t know. If this was taking place in the US, Canada, Britain or a number of other countries, I think I’m safe in saying the fine would just be paid, over and done with. I mean if Microsoft comes to your door asking for $200 in fines, just pay it, you’re getting off light. On the other hand, the fines are also likely to be much steeper in other countries.
Take it as you will, I think the whole situation is ridiculous and it’s not even Microsoft bringing the charges, it’s something or someone in the Russian government that is protecting Microsoft’s interests in Russia, someone tell me how that makes sense, no, really, tell me.
The Russian courts say the teacher has caused Microsoft about $10,000 in damages. We’re talking about a multi-billion dollar corporation here, why would $10,000 matter, again, I really am asking.
The teacher says he cannot pay the $194 fine as he only makes about $400 per month and is filing an appeal.
In the end we have the Russian government protecting Microsoft’s interest in their country by fining a teacher who claims he did not know about the pirated software but which caused Microsoft $10,000 in damages which amounts to him being fined $200.
I don’t even know what to say or how to rationalize that but like I said, all things being equal, he’s getting off light considering the behemoth(s) behind this. In any other country, the fine would have been the damages caused… $10,000.
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May 10th, 2007
Intellectual property theft, and copyright violations harm everyone in affected societies because the existence of both prevents important and foundational segments of economies from developing when legitimate businesses can’t be sustained because they are unable to operate or thrive if everyone is willing to steal the work of others.
For example, think of Chinese programmer who wants to create and market a business program in his own country? How can it be done if everyone will steal your work after it’s released? Who would invest in such a company? Think of the jobs that will never exist, from the programmers that will never get work, the Universities that will have fewer students, the consultants that will never consult for the product, etc, etc.
Perhaps Russian authorities realize this, and are taking action to ensure that their society doesn’t get left behind any more than it perhaps already has.
The EU would be doing more of a service for the people they represent if they did a little more copyright enforcement, rather than trying to hinder MS.
May 13th, 2007
Good morning,
A few quick thoughts:
1) Could be just a corrupt Russian with a new way of collecting cash. Possible? Yes.
2) I don’t go along with this robin hood mentality, steeling is steeling it doesn’t matter if the victim has money or is poor. Put the shoe on the other foot, You probably have a lot of money compared to many in the third world, is it OK to steel for you? No. Steeling is always wrong.
3) Where has personal honor gone? It seems that half the people I know steel software and thinks it OK because MS has a lot of money.
4) Robert. Great response!