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Why Software Piracy is Good for Microsoft

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the shared-source dept.

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.

10 of 500 comments (clear)

  1. Timothy, you fucker by Uttles · · Score: 2, Offtopic

    Damnit, at least you could have given me some credit for submitting that link instead of attaching it to another story. Thanks a lot.

    --

    ~ now you know
    1. Re:Timothy, you fucker by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      I submitted it too.

    2. Re:Timothy, you fucker by sulli · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      But look - he got the karma anyway! (As if it matters since karma is Obfuscated now.)

      --

      sulli
      RTFJ.
  2. Re:Microsoft has always done this by joshsisk · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Why the question marks? This is more accurate:

    1.) Get users addicted to our software
    2.) Profit!!!

  3. Oh Britney... by bol · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    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.

    Don't worry Britney, if you take it in the butt, technically you're still a virgin.

  4. WTF by VivisectRob · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Um... thats pretty gay... not that I even remotely cared anyway.

  5. Re:Microsoft Ads? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Parent is modded funny, but should have been modded "Sad".

    Nothing proves better that the people responsible for slashdot are whores living from spouting off utopistic and childish "free software" propaganda while being in bed with big business.

  6. Damn! (OT) by BurritoWarrior · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Britney sure looks fine on that page!

    Kinda makes me wish I really was a pirate. I sure would like to pillage that pumpkin!

    This is news for nerds, right?

  7. Slashdot Wagering Board - Today's Odds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic


    Bush Does Not Serve 2nd Term 1-2

    Cheney Does Not Finish 1st Term 3-1

    bin Laden discovered working in Pentagon 10-1

    W videotaped inhaling coke behind The White House 6-1

  8. I thought someone might say that. by Dthoma · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    However, all of the moderations except some of the "Troll"s appear to have expired for some reason. Look at this comment to see some of the mods it got. It doesn't take into account the fact that it got 3 or 4 more "Troll"s and another one or two "Funny"s after it got posted. ;-)

    Yes, I know this is offtopic, but gimme some slack.

    --

    Note to M1-ers: a curt but otherwise insightful message is not "Flamebait" or "Troll".