Slashdot Mirror
A Look Inside the BSA
die_jack_die writes: "SFGate is running this article about the Business Software Alliance. I'm sure the BSA loves when they get scary stories of their tactics into the press, but this piece does quote the EFF's Fred Von Lohman making the point that companies who don't want to deal with the BSA can always use Open Source software. Most telling quote: 'every cent of those massive settlements stays within the BSA -- member software organizations receive only the licensing fees.'"
I'm not pissed off that the BSA can sue a company for using unlicensed software. That's fine. Go after them on your own time, with all the legal resources you can afford.
What pisses me off is that they can get the assistance of the US government (in the form of US Marshals) to "raid" companies suspected of using that software.
Why doesn't it work the other way? Why don't we have the US Marshals raid Microsoft when they produce security-hole-ridden software that causes a small business to lose millions? Why should our government always be on the side of the big business?
Running OSS software is the ONLY solution.
The BSA's teeth is provided by the byzantine EULA's that you agree to by using most proprietary software. The EULA's usually force YOU to agree to BSA "audits" at YOUR expense.
You are agreeing to private police.
What about richard stallman?
If he feels that a company is using the GPL in a way he doesn't like, he confronts them as well. Most companies just give in, but I would imagine if they didn't, a court battle would insue.
Although not as violent or agressive, this isn't much different than what the BSA does.
disagree - The GPL is there for your, protection. Stallman is protecting the general public when he goes after infringers.
The BSA is out for the company's best interest
One political agenda over another. Neither is in the right.