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Piracy Built the Romanian IT Industry

Posted by Zonk on from the eye-patches-in-europe dept.

An anonymous reader submitted a link to a Washington Post article about a very interesting press conference. Romanian President Traian Basescu stood up in front of international press and discussed the role pirated Microsoft software played in bringing about the IT industry in the country. The other big player at the press conference was Microsoft chair Bill Gates. Gates' company was opening a technical center in Bucharest, and he declined to comment on the president's remarks. Romania passed anti-piracy laws nearly 10 years ago, but nearly 70 percent of software used in the country continues to be of an illicit nature.

10 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. News Report by Fifty+Points · · Score: 5, Funny

    This just in: Romania destroyed by what appears to have been a bombardment of chairs. More at 11.

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    I'm in between insightful sigs right now...
    1. Re:News Report by Drooling+Iguana · · Score: 2, Funny

      We can only hope that they don't bring out the soft cushions...

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      ... I'm addicted to placebos
    2. Re:News Report by heroofhyr · · Score: 4, Funny

      "The Transylvanian National Guard was sent in to defuse the situation, but they were no match for the room full of flying wooden stakes."

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      brandelf: invalid ELF type 'KEEBLER'
    3. Re:News Report by GunFodder · · Score: 2, Funny

      We can only hope that they don't bring out the soft cushions... ...or the comfy chair.
  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. Romania... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually, MS owes Romania. You see, MS has been using the vampire method of business: sucking the blood of their customers. A clear rip-off of the vampire business model.

  4. Re:Please help wipe out piracy by alshithead · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Every person you can successfully move off of a windows running unauthorized windows is a gain for free software."

    No argument here... ;)

    "My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love"

    My onions listen for the gentle dripping of your tears. :)

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    I reserve the right to think for myself. Others' opinions are optional. Puppy on lap = typos...not illiteracy.
  5. Re:Only 70%?! by kv9 · · Score: 4, Funny

    we are also known to drink the blood of every fat american that makes the mistake to walk the streets at night.

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    Stop Computers/Cars Analogies on S
  6. Re:Only 70%?! by geekoid · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now YOU have a transfat problem!

    Suckers.

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    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  7. Why doesn't Bill buy Romania? by Zaatxe · · Score: 2, Funny

    He maybe could. Microsoft's market value is $299 billion and Romania's GDP is $219 billion.

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    So say we all