Why Software Piracy is Good for Microsoft

jcphil writes "Salon has an article that explains why Microsoft has toned down its anti-piracy actions in China and other developing markets. The answer is simple: due to the network effect, the more users you have, the greater your strength in the marketplace. And it doesn't matter if their Windows is pirated or not. So, in effect, software piracy in countries like China helps Microsoft to compete with Linux." Meanwhile, the RIAA doesn't feel the same logic applies to record sales in the U.S., and has started an ad campaign to convince the public that sharing music hurts artists.

Comments

Microsoft Ads?

[mvh]

how did we get M$ ads on Slashdot? that's very interesting to me.

Re:Microsoft Ads?

[Jon Shaft]

how did we get M$ ads on Slashdot? that's very interesting to me.

Well, I thought Slashdot went for a nose dive this early morning, but I think the servers were just being a little naughty. This was around 2am or 3am...

Slashdot in a Microsoft party and maybe they really need people to buy those Penguin Computing racks!!!!

I understand some servers could die, but this was just a bit flimzy! And of course I had to take 2 snapshots of the Slashdot website for it.

Beggar.

[DarkHelmet]

Hey Microsoft, ummm... Got any goods that you can offload to me?

I won't put linux on my machine! Pinky Swear!

Note: I'll just put FreeBSD on instead.

Microsoft has always done this

[pheph]

Here is an article that quotes Gates in 1998:

"They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade."

1.) Get user's addicted to our software
2.) ????
3.) Profit!!!

Re:Microsoft has always done this

[Amazing Quantum Man]

"They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade."

"Here, kid... the first sample's free!"

JUST SAY NO!!!!

Brought to you by the Coalition for a Drug^H^H^H^HMicrosoft Free America

Please think of the starving artists!

[sys$manager]

Because when you download music, you're taking bread from Britney's mouth! She can barely afford to LIVE! Please, think of the starving artists before you download that next MP3.

Come on, does the RIAA really expect me to take a PSA from Britney Spears or bling blingin' Nelly when it comes to theft of music? Are they trying to make us feel bad for these people who get paid truckloads of money and have no talent? Maybe they should show me a non-RIAA artist who lives out of their car and plays dumpy clubs instead.

NOTE TO RIAA: GET A CLUE.

Re:Please think of the starving artists!

[rmohr02]

Kid Rock Starves To Death: MP3 Piracy Blamed.

Linking to an Onion article on /.: -1 Karmawhore.

Re:in other news....

[jgerman]

In other, other news, yet another bad anlogy made on slashdot. If getting hooked up at MacDonalds made you more likely to spend money in the future at MacDonalds rather than Wendy's then the analogy would be stronger. Oh but wait, that destroys your attempt at a joke. Sheesh, wait again, THAT'S WHAT CORPORATIONS do to drive peopel in, give away a little now to get business in the future.

I can see it now!

[asdfasdfasdfasdf]

A wrinkle laden aging speed metal rocker, wrapped in shredded leather pants; he's drinking from a bottle in a paper bag; sad music is playing.

The voice over says "When you pirate music, you steal money out of artists pockets. Now, how is this poor man going to afford his presidential suite, hookers, and 3 day liquor and heroin binges?"

Then a black screen with white text comes up:

"Help the Fella, Don't Gnutella."

Re:Groan

[Dthoma]

"Sheesh, talk about missing the point of the article. The article is talking about developing markets, not the US. Microsoft cares deeply about piracy in the US. The point is that in developing markets, Microsoft wants to establish a foothold."

Or, to sum it up, Microsoft won't bother alienating their market until they've got a market to alienate. ;-)

not really suprising

[jcsehak]

from the article: A print campaign, featuring such performers as Eminem, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti

Pavarotti is quoted to have said "Downloading music is wrong, because it's virtual. You're not getting the real thing. You're using technology to circumvent actually paying for it; you're taking the easy way out... Lip-synching a concert however, is perfectly okay; there's nothing wrong with that, the audience can't tell anyway, ...*sigh*... yes, I'm a tool."

Elton John on the matter: "Um, I really really need you're money since I'm WAY in debt, no, I didn't get screwed by my label, at least I don't think so, I was kinda high all the time."
"Elton, you spent $40,000 a month on flowers."
"They were pretty..."

disclaimer: don't know if it was exactly $40k, but it was some insane amount like that.

Re:Groan

[Washizu]

In other words, if you don't like the price of Bruce Springsteen, you're not going to switch to Broos Sprigstein who might be cheaper.

Don't knock us Broos fans until you've heard his early stuff.

This reminds me....

[unixmaster]

the myth of getting windows xp betas on irc even before official beta testers...Even there was some claim that Window XP Beta 2 Build 2474 was *internally* leaked by Microsoft.

Mmmm maybe microsoft has more evil tactics we may ever think of?

Can't wait for the commericals

[GuyMannDude]

With any luck, the anti-music-piracy commericals will be as much a scream as those "Today I killed a judge (because I bought drugs)" drug-terrorism ones:

• "Today I starved a song writer"
• "I just destroyed a pop-star's lifelong dream."
• "Hey, it's not like I'm hurting anyone!" (jump cut to a fired record company executive taking out his anger on his wife and child)

GMD

RIAA's ad vs. the Onion's

[RicochetRita]

A much closer-to-life version ;-) Kid Rock Starves To Death: MP3 Piracy Blamed

R

Intersting

[karb]

Here are some more excerpts from the ad series. Very informative.

• Dave Matthews : "When you create programs to help blind people read things, it's the same as going into the store and stealing a CD."
• Pink : " When you research copy-protection schemes, it's the same thing as mugging a homeless man on the street and stealing his wheelchair."
• Eminem : "When you listen to internet radio, it's the same thing as assaulting somebody outside a club, except without high-priced lawyers."
• Bruce Springsteen : "Not letting the RIAA hack your computer is the same as clubbing a seal."
• Michael Jackson : "Creating digital to analog converters is the same as running a massively corrupt oligopoly that uses payola and political influence to maximize profits."
• Busta Rhymes : "Using open source media players is the same as screwing artists out of money, only without the exorbitant salary of a record executive."
• Jonathan Davis of Korn : "AGH WHOO HAGH BOOM BAGHCK, CHA CHA CHA!"

Too true. Stop the insanity.

I like to think of Microsoft as Crack Dealers.

[jerkyjunkmail]

I like to think of Microsoft as Crack Dealers.(no offense to crack dealers) Their business practices share some similiarities. They let you get hooked with some "free" shit and before long you've got to pay out the ass to keep operating smoothly. Then you either cut the shit out and start over clean or keep paying the dopeman.

Britney

[JohnG]

Britney isn't the best spokesperson for something that requires a thought.
"I go to lot's of overseas places, like Canada"
"My love for New York is indefinite."
"Where the hell is Australia anyway?"
(paraphrase)"I covered 'I love rock and roll' because I'm a big Pat Benatar fan"
"Downloading music is like stealing a CD"

Does the RIAA really want those quotes associated with one another? To late now I guess.

Re:Groan

[cjpez]

Think they'll still be listening to the latest release of "L33t D3ath P1zza" in 300 years?

Hey, don't start ragging on L33t D3ath P1zza, now. They r0x0r. h4rdk0r3. Their latest album, "ph33r th3 t0pp1ngz" is nothing short of genius. Frankly, I'd be surprised if they're not required listening 300 years from now, in universities all over the solar system, as an example of the Golden Age of Music.

Britney Spears Hasn't Lost a Cent Because of Me

[Nintendork]

I download just as much of her music as I purchase...None

Re:True only to a point.

[Tackhead]

> Computer software embodies loyalty. It doesn't work for music (or other "pure data") because those are just inactive data. When you pop a George Tennison CD into the drive, there's no Clippy popping up to say "Would you like me to reset your preferences so that you will always hear George Tennison?"

"Someday, you kids! Someday!"
- Hilary Rosen after six beers and a Palladium conference.

Uh...no

[SomeOtherGuy]

Brittney honey -- it is not music sharing that is causing a drop in your record sales...Hell just ask Tiffany & Paulla Abdual (sp?) -- they went through the same tough times, and could not even blame the big bad music sharing thugs. And to M&M -- What would it be 15.5 million instead of 15.3 million units moved if there was no music shareing? (Somewhere Vannila Ice is dreaming of being so popular that millions would download his music for free...)

I'm so torn

[rattler14]

Do I keep pirating their software and let them gain market share or do I stop using all of there software and let them win the war against piracy?

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Re:Groan

[Anonymous Coward]

RIAA: Don't steal from the artists. That's our job.

Re:Groan

[Dephex Twin]

No, in 300 years we'll all be listening to the music of Wyld Stallyns!

Didn't you watch Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure?