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UK Government Confiscates Firefox CDs

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the can't-just-give-it-away dept.

Alsee writes "The idea that Free Software can be sold has some government officials perplexed. Times Online has the story. A UK Trading Standards officer contacted the Mozilla Foundation to report catching a business selling copies of Firefox. The organization confiscated the CDs with the intent to prosecute said business. When informed that such distribution was authorized, the officer first expressed disbelief that Free Software could be sold then said 'If Mozilla permit the sale of copied versions of its software, it makes it virtually impossible for us, from a practical point of view, to enforce UK anti-piracy legislation'."

8 of 540 comments (clear)

  1. No-one expects the British Inquisition ! by cbelt3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    My GOD ! They're giving it away ! How can we control this !

  2. "If your software's free... by Ossifer · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... you're going to put us out of our jobs, I mean, who would we prosecute then??!?!"

    1. Re:"If your software's free... by aborchers · · Score: 5, Funny

      Their comment

      "If Mozilla permit the sale of copied versions of its software, it makes it virtually impossible for us, from a practical point of view, to enforce UK anti-piracy legislation"

      reminds me of something I heard once in a meeting at work. A middle manager, upon being told a single, sensible and direct way to solve a problem, blurted out:

      "But we need options so we can make decisions!"

      --
      Trouble making decisions? Just flip for it.
  3. Free Beer by wwwillem · · Score: 5, Funny

    Someone should take this guy to the bar and explain it to him over a 'free beer'.....

    --
    Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
  4. Re:Not the first time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Litter is British slang for prostitutes.

  5. Re:Licenses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unfortunately awesome, maybe.

  6. Re:Licenses by jokewallpaper · · Score: 5, Funny
    Check out www.MoFo.com http://www.mofo.com/

    The big law firm of Morrison & Foerster..."Over one thousand lawyers worldwide"

    That's a lot of mo fos

  7. Re:Licenses by SETIGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    In related news: Morrison & Foerster : Legal Updates & News : Press Releases : MoFo One of 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers

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    Support SETI@home