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Microsoft Sets Value Of Pirated Windows: $1
nick_davison writes "The BBC is reporting that Microsoft has reached a deal with the Indonesian government on pirated software - which is believed to affect around 50,000 government PCs. Under the deal, Indonesia will pay $1 per copy and agree to buy legally in the future. Indonesia's information minister, Sofyan Djalil, said, "Microsoft is being realistic. They can't force developing countries like us to solely use legal software since we can't afford it. They want us to gradually reduce our use of it." Somehow it seems unlikely the same rules will be applied to developing companies and poorer individuals in the United States."
But you sure as hell can be forced to do things legally.
Not by a corporation.
A little more research on google news shows that MS is denying this report.
Whatever else Indonesia may be, it is not a small country. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state. ... Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas
flossie
Write now. Defend liberty
It's not about the money. The vast majority of Indonesians take pirated software for granted, and have no real desire or need to buy original.
;)
Several years ago Microsoft Indonesia sued cmoputer stores who install (pirated) Windows onto newly built systems. They claim damage of several billions rupiah, enough to make any local computer store to go out of business. Last time I was in Jakarta, all those stores sued are still in business. In one news article, the defendant's lawyer asked the judge whether he has a PC at home, and whether his copy of Windows is legal
About two years ago a supposedly tough copyright legislation was passed, but there is simply no real enforcement in Indonesia, people still sell and buy openly. There is no "incentive" to buy originals. Even if there is enforcement, most individuals can't afford originals.
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s13
ELEANOR HALL: Is it the case that the Indonesian legal system is based on the presumption of guilt?
TIM LINDSAY: No, that is completely false. As a matter of fact it is completely the opposite. The system in Indonesia is the same as the system in Australia, and our Commonwealth system. Article 66 of the Criminal Procedure Code specifically states that the burden of proof to prove guilt in a criminal case lies with the prosecution.
In other words, that unless the prosecution can prove guilt, the person is innocent. So the common furphy that is being circulated in Australia in the media at the moment that people in the Indonesian system are presumed guilty until proven innocent is totally false.
...