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

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

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.

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

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.