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The End of Naked PCs in China?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i-didn't-know-they-even-bought-software dept.

fishter writes "The Chinese Government is calling on PC manufacturers to ensure that a properly licensed operating system is installed on their products before they leave the factory. One manufacturer has already signed a deal with Microsoft to install its operating systems on all its personal PC products. The edict would also apply to foreign manufacturers supplying PCs to Chinese companies and residents."

3 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Doesn't mean it has to be Windows by GreatDrok · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't see anything in this that precludes pre-loading of OS's other than Windows. They just need to be properly licenced. A copy of RedFlag Linux for example should be perfectly acceptable.

    I hate the way this whole 'naked PC' thing is painted as purely a piracy issue. We just bought 10 Workstations from HP that come with WinXP Pro and no way to buy them without despite the fact that they are intended as Linux machines and HP advertises them as fully Linux compatible.

    --
    "I have the attention span of a strobe lit goldfish, please get to the point quickly!"
  2. Re:The Physical Install by 1u3hr · · Score: 5, Interesting
    the intent of the law

    The intent of the law is that Hu Jintao won't feel embarrassed when he has dinner at Gates' mansion next week. Once he's finished his jaunt, no one will care what you do any more. Also China does have its own officially sanctioned OS, Red Flag which all true Party members should use.

  3. Re:as if this will have any effect on chinese pira by Boxy+Brown · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I can't speak for China, as I've never been there, but in Thailand, you can go to the mall and find stores (actual stores, not booths) that have nothing but spindles upon spindles of CD-Rs with 'pirated' software. The disks go for the equivilant of $5 US and probably cheaper if you're Thai. It's quite an interesting thing to see.