Business Software Alliance "Grace Period"

The BSA is running (until January 31) a "Grace Period" for "voluntary compliance" in the cities of San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Houston,Norfolk/Richmond, Nashville, Indianapolis, Bozeman, and Orlando. Small businesses recieve a card in the mail, having been assigned a tracking number, so you know you're in their files. In previous press releases they state that they send out up to 700,000 of these cards simultaneously. Scanning their reported settlement victories, they then seem to pick 2-4 business to destroy. If the businesses don't go along, the BSA hires the Federal Marshals as mercenaries to help ensure compliance with their extortion. Microsoft, unsurprisngly, is a big supporter of this and pushes it to vendors as a chance to strengthen customer relations. (this is a powerpoint document, but thankfully you can also have it: translated via google). CD: Here is a link to the press release on this matter.

Comments

I repeat my earlier advice: wipe your ass with it

[flacco]

As I recommended in an earlier article on this same topic - if you receive a notice like this:

1. Wipe your ass with the letter.
2. Seal it in an air-tight plastic bag.
3. Mail it back to the BSA.

If it makes you feel better, mark out any text on the letter that identifies you individually.

For extra credit, do the same with a photocopy and send to MS. (helpful hint: photocopy BEFORE wiping your ass.)

It might send a message to the BSA. At the very least it will cripple their operations by making it impossible to hire mailroom staff.

Re:Fuck you, slashdot. & Fuck you to

[volkris]

Yeah, where were the pretzels to choke Clinton? Too bad they were a couple years off from hitting the REAL crook.