CD Duplicator Refuses Linux Job, Citing MS Contract

Jonathon writes "Seems a Microsoft imposed restraint of trade agreement and concerns about the SCO suit have prevented a New Zealand company duplicating 500 CDs for our upcoming installfest. The installfest was mentioned on /. just days ago."

Comments

The Installfest

[Zaffle]

The actual installfest site is here.

As one of the helpers for the installfest, I can say that this is pretty much only going to help our cause. We couldn't ask for better advertising (both the NZ Herald, and Slashdot).

We will be ready, Saturday, with plenty of CDs (we hope).

Re:weird..

[Anonymous Coward]

52x writers are under $50USD and a 500 pack of cd-rs is probably well under $100, im sure they can get some volunteers to sit and burn all the discs needed.

Not so surprising

[McAddress]

Bill Gates did not become the world's most successful business by being dumb. He is doing a very good job using the whole SCO issue to take away people's confidence in Linux. He has done a nice job putting pressure on the CD copying company. He is hoping to make the name "Linux" synonymous with phrases like "infringing copyrights" and "illegal".
He is not stupid, and if Linux does not watch its back, the penguin might get slain, leaving the world without a reliable and secure OS.

Re:Not so surprising

[HillBilly]

It wouldn't be worth the risk of a big MS contract over 500 cd's anyway, to any cd copying company.

Re:Not so surprising

[BiggerIsBetter]

Well, I don't think it'll go down like that. I mean, sure, Software Images didn't get the contract for 500 CDs, but someone else (like Stebbing Recording Ltd?) did and they probably made a buck out of it. I think it is Bill that needs to watch his back, lest the a flock of hungry penguins eat all the herring while he's busy throwing FUD into the media.

Silly little companies like SI need to go out of business. It sounds like they're being MS-NZ's little bitch, and while that's good for the moment (if you like biting the pillow, that is), I don't expect they'll get any OSS business in the future. Is that a big thing? Yes, because that's the direction the market is moving and they've just blown themselves out of that game.

Re:Not so surprising

[Anonymous Coward]

leaving the world without a reliable and secure OS

Uh. It's not as if *BSD is dying or something. ;)

Re:Not so surprising

[IamTheRealMike]

True, but the very fact that they believe they'd lose that contract for being "disloyal" says a lot about how Microsoft treat their suppliers.

Re:Not so surprising

[Anonymous Coward]

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
My Dear Friend IBM,

I am highly compelled upon strict recommendation, to write you this very
urgent and confidential letter.I do hope my letter will not embarrass you
since I had no previous correspondence with you.I hope this mail will not
come to you as a surprise.I am sending this proposal with due sense of
humanity, responsibility and with few awareness that you will give it a
sympathetic attention. I regret to the inconvenience it may cause you base on
the condition that we have not met before.

I wish to use this opportunity to introduce myself to you, I am Mr. Darl
McBride,the CEO of the former proprietor of Unixware in my home city of
Lindon, Utah, My Vice President Christopher Sontag had a synflood shot by the
GNU rebels on his way travelling to White Plains, a city after New York, your
headquarters along with my daughter, My daughter died on the spot while the
HP-UX team rescued my Vice President, he was taken to hospital for medical
treatment which he later died about three months now.

Fortunately, My Company has Ten million and Five hundred thousand United
States Dollars(US$10.5 million) cash, which he intended to use for investment
purposes overseas. This money is kept with private security company in Europe
since two years ago. It is only my son and myself that know where the money
is kept and has the documents for it.

Due to the current situation in the market concerning GNU's vendettas towards
my family, we seek your assistance to transfer the ownership of this fund to
you so that you can asisst us to claim it and used for the purpose of
investment as intended by my Vice President.

My family is currently being probed by this present GNU for alleged
involvement in misappropriation of GPL code during his regime.

Towards this effect, an embargo restricting my family members from traveling
or carrying out financial transactions without their express permission is in
force. Right now, my son and myself have concluded plans and decided to take
immediate claim of this fund so that we can use it to better our lives and
alliviate our present suffering hence this contact.

However, I have an arrangement on how you can help us to recieve this money
after receiving some assurances from you. The money personally belongs to my
Vice President and he intended that it still be used for investment. No
record ever existed concerning this money, neither is the money traceable by
the GNU rebels because there is no documentation concerning the funds in the
SEC reports. Bearing in mind that your assistance is needed to transfer this
fund, we propose a commission of 20% (Twenty Percent) of the total sum to you
for the expected services and assistance. While 5% is mapped out for
miscellaneous expenses.

On your positive consent, I shall expect you to contact me urgently to enable
us discuss about this.Your urgent response is highly needed. I must use this
opportunity to implore you to exercise utmost indulgence to keep this matter
extraordinarily confidential, while I await your prompt response.

Best regards,

MR. DARL MCBRIDE, SCO LINDON UTAH

Re:Not so surprising

[Jester99]

If he's so smart, then why can't he make a profit on anything besides his illegal monopolies?

This is +5 insightful??!

Microsoft started in a college dorm room. Within twenty-five years, Bill Gates turned it into an empire. In the competitive market for software in the 80s and early 90s, Microsoft swept over the competition, thanks largely to Bill Gates's ability to move MS into the right place at the right time, signing the right contracts with the right companies.

Now, he's reaping the benefits -- they've got $40 billion in cash, a 90%+ marketshare, and, yes, a monopoly. Bill Gates would eat you for breakfast in a "non-monopoly situation." Lord knows, he's done it to enough other companies.

Now, I'm sure Bill's still got a few tricks up his sleeve. If he were forced to compete in a free market, he'd probably still be doing pretty damn good for Microsoft. But why would he want to exert himself like that, if he can spend less effort maintaining the status quo, where not only does Microsoft make a profit, but they exceed the GDP of several small countries?

I'm certainly not an MS fanboy, but wisecracks like the parent post's are just ignorant. Monopolies don't come out of thin air -- you get to be the monopoly by being the best at the market (even, or probably especially, if that means being ruthless).

Act like you have a pair

[TitanBL]

Later, he said Microsoft's lawyers' advice was: "It's conjecture. It depends on who, what, when, the technology, and a whole bunch of things and the Herald is not a good place to get into a legal discussion." He went on to explain: Have you ever been pussy whipped by your girfriend? Well, if you have, you would understand our relationship with microsoft.

It's a private company

[panurge]

They can sell to whosoever they like. The situation would presumably be different if they had a monopoly (I say presumably because I don't know about New Zealand law) but that can't be said of CD duplication. It's essential that companies do have the right to refuse orders without giving reasons, because every order taken on involves some degree of commercial risk ranging from nonpayment to public liability. Were this not so, it would make for some interesting scams by dishonest buyers. The best protection for buyers is that salesmen as a breed want to be able to sell to anybody with money, and that provides a certain counterweighting to the caution of the legal and finance departments.

Re:It's a private company

[Anonymous Coward]

It's not a story because 'some company isn't duplicating Linux CDs,' mind you. It's a story because 'some company is allowing MS monopolistic tactics to compromise various business deals, including, but probably not limited to, the Linux OS.'

This is more or less what happens with monopolies. They tell people who do good business with them that they can't do business with their competitors.

Now, I'm not saying that this is right or wrong (monopolies have to do something to stay in business, since they're so big and normal practices stop working), but it's something worth discussing.

YRO

[node 3]

Since this is under YRO, I figured I'd ask: whose rights are being violated here? (I can't see any rights violations)

This seems more like a story about how evil Microsoft is. And evil they are, which is why I neither purchase nor support their software.

Don't you just love non-compete clauses?

[speedfreak_5]

Looks like they can't do anything for any of Microsoft's competitors ... but would linux itself really qualify as a competitor? I know there are many people who package distributions, but what if it was a non-commercial distro such as slackware they were trying to burn?

And as long as they mentioned SCO, I would love to see them driven into the ground for what they're doing.

This could be a good thing...

[evilviper]

Now you have ample ammo for suing SCO for libel, slander, defamation, etc...

Re:This could be a good thing...

[Dante_J]

Now you have ample ammo for suing SCO for libel, slander, defamation, etc...

The trouble is Who will do the suing?

IBM? Redhat? Knoppix??? certainly not Knoppix.

Lets face it, even though this is in NZ, it sets a very nasty precedent internationally.

And although IBM have been playing it cool, as they should, with the rabid SCO flinging mud everywhere the concerning thing is that some of that mud might stick.

Feature for feature, tech for tech and even on usability grounds Linux is beginning to really become a desktop option with mountains more flexibility than Windows - any flavour of windows.

MS have played very very dirty in the past, and it would not surprise me in the slightest if it's their intention to do so again, and this case is testing the waters. Anyone remember Stacker?

However this is a delicate time for Linux in the hearts and minds of the general uninformed masses.

For the criminally insane at SCO to get some of their allegations to stick is a significant blow in Linux Marketing in the short term.

It would help significantly if IBM made an big, loud, international, and official statement about the Damage SCO is doing to their market and reputation, and threaten serious legal action.

A response form IBM like this would strengthen, not damage the reputation of Linux and Open Source software.

Rusty, Tridge, Martin, have you fellows had smoco with some IBM lawyers recently?

Re:This could be a good thing...

[jkrise]

"The trouble is Who will do the suing?"

Huh.. why not some "Association for Open Source in New Zealand", like Linux Tag in Germany? After all, the Duplicator does mention the SCO case as a ground for refusal to honor a contract.

"Lets face it, even though this is in NZ, it sets a very nasty precedent internationally."

True, but when LinuxTag successfully asked SCO to shut up, and even got a penalty of 1000s of Marks if SCO spoke rotten things, did that not set an international precedent? In the US, the so called protests ended as a farce. Poland and Australia, I believe, have got restraint orders against SCO as well.

Let New Zealanders show which side they are on: The SCO-MS FUD GNUterrorists, or against. This is a good opportunity for them.

Keeping Track of SCO's Victims

[Schlemphfer]

Is this specific 500-CD deal a big thing? Of course not. But a few people in New Zealand have been measurably inconvenienced by the FUD spread by SCO.

I think little by little, SCO's efforts to create FUD may inconvenience substantial numbers of people. It wouldn't be a bad idea for a website to be started, for keeping track of the myriad ways that SCO's threats of copyright infringement liability have caused tangible expense and inconvenience.

It would be a good knowledge base to have, and might come in handy for purposes of a potential class-action suit against SCO, if the company's claims of infringement are found by the courts to be without merit. In any case, this would be one way to give SCO's backers some FUD of their own.

Wuss!

[Nucleon500]

The complete and utter spinelessness of every company in existance is getting on my nerves. SCO may be evil, but at least they're doing something. Here we have a company which won't press Knoppix CDs because of either (they won't say which) baseless and and completely unsupported FUD from an insane law firm / software vendor on the other side of the world, or language that may or may not be in a contract they may or may not have with Microsoft, which may or may not be legal. Lawyers have filled every industry with complete, namby-pamby wusses.

Besides, SCO has claimed that every single modern operating system (except Sun, they are quick to point out), is at similar risk. How could a CD company stay in business if they refused to duplicate anything McBride said was his?

Next /. headline in company's future.

[mikeophile]

Linux Community Refuses to Give Business to CD Duplicator, Citing Questionable Ethics

Linux's image

[Jarlsberg]

This is further proof that the SCO debacle is hurting the image of Linux in the marketplace and in the eyes of the consumer. SCO may not have a sound case, but they are causing a lot of confusion about the legality of Linux.

There's also the part of the contract with Microsoft. This company is obviously not going to risc their probably very important economic ties to Microsoft for a mere 500 cd copy job -- no sane business person would -- but yet again we see evidence that the strong arm tactic Microsoft has employed since the DOS days (anyone remember DR DOS?) is still very much a part of their modus operandi.

IP or Microsoft

[den_erpel]

I do not think that the SCO case made them refuse the job. When I read the article, the SCO case gives them an excuse not to do the CD duplication (of a small number, 500, of CDs).

They lose almost nothing, while they are sucking up to M$, possibly gaining much more with the obfuscated licensing. I assume M$ will gladly pay their losses, considering the press coverage this thing will get.

Re:When is the Fall of MicroSoft Scheduled anyway?

[BiggerIsBetter]

No empire lasts forever, are the masses at the gates of the castle yet?

No, but the masses have surrounded the castle of Gates!

Let them know how you feel ...

[pherris]

From the article:

Software Images general manager David Hill denied there was a non-compete agreement with Microsoft.

But the existence of a 15-page contract with a non-compete clause was confirmed by Microsoft competitive strategy manager Brett Roberts.

Feel free to email David at david.hill@softwareimages.com asking him to clarify his statement. There's also a contacts page.

Re:Let them know how you feel ...

[NewtonsLaw]

Oh that's smart (NOT)... encourage the lunatic fringe to send the guy offensive emails so that the stories Microsoft told him about Linux users being a bunch of childish fools gains credibility.

Let's act like grown-ups here and realise that although the company's attitude may be somewhat lacking, they are within their legal right to do what they're doing whether others like it or not.

Remember, they're not the only supplier in town and if they won't do the job, there will be others who will.

Mind you, as has been stated, it's rather nice of them to turn an otherwise unnoteworthy transaction into an item of important news. Sure beats paying for advertising and you've got to admire those who use smart (spam-free) marketing tactics!

Knights of Modern Royalty

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm reminded of the English tradition of Knighthood. Where some subject becomes a knight and is granted
dominion over a parcel of land.

Microsoft granted this company so many parcels of foo, so long as they upheld Microsoft's honor. And on a larger scale, Isn't dominion what was promised to the RIAA, Media Cartels, others, in exchange for their "loyalty"?

Maybe I stretch things too far. But it seems the power of the common man has dwindled to nothing outside of a small space that's been allotted. Any attempts to reach beyond this space are met with resistance and punishment.

All these guys wanted to do was duplicate some cd's.
But that activity appears to be outside the domain Microsoft is willing to grant them. How have we gotten into the situation where we must beg persmission to do mundane tasks like this?

Is the large scale duplication of information getting to be a little too risque' for the peons? Gotta keep an eye on stuff like that now?

The box that makes up our collective free will is getting smaller and smaller as each cubic centimeter is parcelled off to the Knights of Modern Royalty.

Now what...

[floydman]

every linux supporter is somehow being effected by this SCO/Linux issue. Even YOU as a system admin. or programmer are. I mean i am a linux programmer where i work, and devlopers form the other side(MS dev.) keep on asking, whats up with this SCO thing, so are you planning to go back to Visual c with a wide smile.. . PERIOD..out of subject..

what i wanted to say is, companies like IBM, SUN, Oracle, Redhat, Suse and others are losing money, credability, business, and are instead gaining lots of headache, questions, bla bla bla...

Why the fuck dont they just group, put an end to it. They already spent billions in investments on Linux, espically IBM and Oracle(who supported Linux clustering), if they care for their business and investments, they should act, and FAST, before this thing really grows and starts to actually draw back customers who had linux on their considered solution list, knowing that Linux opened new business grounds for them, and they cant deny it, they owe linux exactly s much as linux owed them...

I need to keep quiet ...

[Alain Williams]

and not tell my electricity supply company that I use Linux at home, just in case they decide that because some of my neighbours run M$ boxes, that they can't supply me with power any more.

Re:Helping the cause

[Jeffna]

... I can say that this is pretty much only going to help our cause

I'd say so. I downloaded Knoppix last night after the previous installfest story piqued my interest.

Things to note:

I've used Micosoft software since I started using PCs.
I'd never used any version of Linux before.
I was very impressed with what I saw.

Congratulations guys, you just gained a brand spanking new Linux user.

boycotts?

[buro9]

i'm usually amazed how seldom people will resort to boycotts.

whilst i would have no doubt that MS are obviously a large part of their business, it is obvious that no business survives with just one good horse in their stable.

with a good enough word-of-mouth campaign it should be possible to inform local businesses and companies of the boycott, inform them of other options, and thus remove a chunk of their potential business.

500 cds may not hurt their purse strings, but 100 x 500 will.

do we forget just how much power we have?

Microsoft never told them to not to do this!

[hng_rval]

From the article:

Roberts said the contract with Software Images did not contain anything that prevented Software Images working with the Open Source Society or pressing Linux CDs "or anything like that".

He said Software Images made their decision before talking to Microsoft "for their own reasons".

"It's very much a Coke/Pepsi situation. If you are an ad agency dealing with Pepsi you don't pick up business with Coke."

When the Herald pointed out that Open Source software was a competitor to Microsoft, Roberts said: "I guess so, but the NZ Open Source Society isn't."

Reliabile Duplication Services

[_Sprocket_]

That's right, New Zealand businesses! Software Images has helped you make a decission towards reliable outsourcing for your data duplication needs. If you need an outfit who can be trusted to handle your order, even important rush orders, Software Solutions is not your provider.

Data duplication is an important last step to any project that requires physical media for distribution. You need to know that your order is accepted and being handled and processed quickly, efficiently, and reliably. At Software Images, your data duplication order may be green-flagged by their expert account managers... only to be refused at a later date.

Your order may be refused because, on a "case by case basis", the data in question might be considered in competition with Microsoft. And as Microsoft continues to reach in to new sectors and attach new niches... who's to say if one is in direct competition or not? But you'll find out. After your order has been rejected and you are forced to scramble for another outsource provider.

Your order may also be refused if an industry competitor makes unfounded alligations as to owner of the intellectual property contained in your duplication order. No need to wait for a court ruling. No need for proof of a currently valid license. Your important job will be rejected, leaving your business high and dry.

In this tough economy, every business needs reliable outsource providers. They need to know that services will be there for that important job or rush order.

With Software Images, you won't know.

Software Images. They're not there for you. They're there for their major account - Microsoft.

Why not break into the RIAA storehouse?

[teamhasnoi]

With all those 436x burners that they've had seized, the Linux guys could have 500 cds in the blink of an eye!

An eye punctured with shards of flying CD, of course. Hillary can oversee the whole operation! But only for a minute...AHHH!

>;C MY EYES!

Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malaysia

[Taco Cowboy]

Malaysia being the world's #1 producer of PIRATED CDs, VCDs, and CD-ROMs, has more than enough talent and capacity to make ANY NUMBER of high quality CD, even in a short order.

The cost of making CDs in Malaysia is EXTRA-ORDINARILY LOW - amount to LESS THAN USD 0.25 per CD, with quantities of 500 or more.

No, I am NOT a CD pirate. I just know enough people who are in this line of "work" to know the cost.

Not only the cost is low, the CDs they produce are also of high quality - rejection rate of less than 0.5 %, and turn around time can be as short as 5 days.

And since it is NEVER ILLEGAL to make Linux CD-ROMs, legality wise there shouldn't be ANY PROBLEM.

So, next time if you wanna make CDs, or you have a rush job and still want to have high quality CDs made, give Malaysia a call.

You won't be disappointed !

The whole SCO issue could backfire...

[RoLi]

If you take a deep breath, take a step back and look at the facts:

• IBM only got into trouble because they messed with proprietary software (SCO's).
• Never was anybody successfully sued for using free software. So far nobody was even unsuccessfully sued, remember that SCO has so far only put out threats and not sued anyone. (And they won't.) In the commercial software world, suing and fining users is just normal business. Just look at how many companies are getting fined by the BSA every year.
• When SCO has lost their case (and they will), a lot of people will see that the OSS licenses are indeed the only "no sue" and "no hassles" licenses.

I think Microsoft made a big mistake with the whole SCO thing. The more people are aware of licenses and the more people understand the GPL, the worse Microsoft looks in comparison.

The SCO case does hurt Linux in the short term, that's for sure. But in the long term, it will be just a confirmation of what many already know: That users of GPLed software are much safer from legal problems than users of commercial software.

With the millions of shares Microsoft executives sell constantly, maybe they don't care about the long term...

Re:The whole SCO issue could backfire...

[Daniel Phillips]

remember that SCO has so far only put out threats and not sued

No, they have formally filed suit. What they haven't done is gone into court, which promises to be intensely amusing, and not in a good way for SCO.

What they have threatened is to reveal evidence that would be damaging to IBM and give them control of Linux. Anybody who has actually looked at the details of the situation knows this is just verbal flatulence, with overtones of commercial fraud.

What are we trying to achive??

[jkrise]

The problem isn't one of piracy - you can't pirate GNU / Linux - it's free. The fact is MS-SCO is spreading their FUD globally (where I live, Gartner is actively carrying the SCO FUD). Joe ServicePack's attention span and analytical-skills must not be over-estimated.

By moving the CD copying to Malaysia, it's sort of implied that there's some pirating going on here! Newbies to Linux don't need this FUD - it could deter a few of them from joining the fest.

Yesterday's interview, McBride stated that the case is entering a 'discovery' phase - this clearly indicates that SCO is only interested in FUD, and not a quick court action. It would help if more countries follow the example of Germany, Poland and others in exposing SCO's conduct, and seek penalties for future instances of FUD.

Re:Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malays

[Heartz]

CD Pirates are one of the primary reasons why Linux is gaining ground in Malaysia. They are cheap, and have all the latest titles. Linux enthuthiast who need the latest ISO's just needs to go to his local pirate distributor and usually in 2-3 days, you'll be able to get a copy. Especially useful for those of us who don't have Broadband internet at home.

They are also actively promoting Linux to businesses who are looking for alternatives to microsoft during the latest software piracy crackdown.

Pirates have brought linux to Malaysia! Pirates aren't that bad after all ;)

Re:Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malays

[Red Pointy Tail]

Well, that's a bit too late, recent police and government crackdowns have more or less crippled these duplication rings. I know, I live in Malaysia where everyone is complaining about not being to buy VCDs or DVDs for less than USD2.00 anymore (at least not easily :) Yes, what you want are LEGAL duplications as opposed to the illegal pirated ones, but the point is that the cheap CD makers are the pirates and their machines have just been consfiscated, so tough.

Re:The company's name

[TheRaven64]

Well, if they won't let people copy Linux CDs because of MS, send an XP cd and ask for 500 copies...

Ha!

[TheDredd]

I bet if I walked in there with a copy of UT 2003 and asked for 500 copies of it they would say: "No problem, mr Smith"

Re:Its not about the SCO lawsuit !

[vidarh]

Read the bloody article. Especially this part:

Yesterday Software Images declined to do the job, citing intellectual property concerns.

When questioned by the Herald on Friday, Software Images chief executive Allan Morton said his company's wariness of Linux was due to legal action between SCO and Linux over intellectual property issues.

Re:The company's name

[Daengbo]

What I don't understand is why (and yes I'm going to make an offtopic "Why didn't MY submission make it?" comment) this story is a big deal, when MS just hikacked tens of thousands of computers to be sold by the Thai government with Linux pre-installed by offering Windows to purchasers for 250 Baht (about US$6). There were supposed to be a hundred thousand Linux computers by December, and now there will be, like zero. Check my journal for the details.

Report them to the Commerce Commission

[Anonymous Coward]

This is anti-competitive behaviour.

Raising Your Concerns by Contacting the Commission

Readers who are aware of behaviour that appears to breach the Commerce Act can forward information to the Commission. The Commission will consider this information and, if appropriate, initiate an investigation.
The Commission also carries out its own market monitoring and surveillance activities. An investigation that identifies a breach of the Commerce Act may lead to the Commission taking one of a range of actions, including prosecuting businesses in the High Court. Actions the Commission can take are outlined in the Commission Processes section of this publication.

To contact the Commission with information:
Telephone 0800 94 3600
Write to:

Contact Centre
Commerce Commission
P O Box 2351
Wellington

Email: contact@comcom.govt.nz

http://www.comcom.govt.nz/publications/pdfs/anti -c ompetitive%20practices%20final.pdf

Put Software Images out of business.

You CAN pirate Gnu/Linux - 2 ways

[abe ferlman]

1. Offer the binaries without a corresponding offer for the source code.

2. Hijack the ship coming from Malaysia with all the linux cd's. Equipment you'll need: eyepatch, parrot, pegleg, makeshift plank for the crew to walk, silly accent. Say "Yarrrrrr!" a lot and complain about scurvy.

Re:Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malays

[Rogerborg]

>It's ironic that people will go to illegal channels as the most efficient way to get that which is free and legal anyway

No, it's ironic that most people, including the justice department that brought the action against them, still use products from a company convicted of illegally leveraging a monopoly.

Re:Next time you wanna make Linux CDs, call Malays

[carambola5]

-Hi, Malaysia? Is this Malaysia?
-Yes sir. You have reached the tourist center for Malaysia. How may I help you?
-I need 500 CDs burned fast!
-Excuse me sir?
-Like I said, I need 500 CDs burned and shipped before Saturday. I read about your country's amazing capabilities to do something like this on Slashdot and I figured I'd give it a shot.
-I'm sorry sir, this is a tourist hotline.
-Don't get smart with me, buddy. I know for a FACT that all you guys up in Malaysia are in the CD pirating business. Don't make me turn you in.
-I'd be happy to refer you to our Business Bureau.
-You don't get it! I don't want a bureau. I want some CDs. Legal CDs! Linux CDs! And you guys have to make them.
-I'm sorry sir, but I just can't help you.
-Sheesh. What do I need to do to get your country to make some CDs for me? Do I need to bribe you?
-Sir, you'll have to contact someone else for your needs. I can't help you.
-Sure you can. You're from Malaysia, and Malaysia makes CDs. Now what's it gonna take? Twenty dollars? A few shiny trinkets? You Malaysians go for that kind of stuff, right?
-<click>