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Russian School Teacher 'Pirate' Case Re-Opened

Posted by Zonk on from the some-guys-can't-catch-a-break dept.

newtley writes "Russian school teacher Alexander Ponosov thought he was out from under after having been accused of 'criminally' using Microsoft product. A Russian court threw the case out, calling it 'trivial,' and Russian president Vladimir Putin said those who make "pirate" goods should be targeted, not consumers, calling the trial "utter nonsense". Now the BBCA Russian court has ordered a retrial, 'after pressure from the prosecution'. However, Ponosovhas now launched a web site. It's in Russian."

3 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. Eye Opener. by atomicbloke · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's an interesting debate about who should be held liable, the user or the provider. In this case, they are siding with the user.

  2. Time to Switch by Technician · · Score: 4, Informative

    I wonder how much the liability of running pirated MS products will now be an incentive to move to Linux?

    Most distro's have a Russian language version and don't come with the litigation risk.

    --
    The truth shall set you free!
    1. Re:Time to Switch by Cyberax · · Score: 3, Informative

      There are such talks in the Ministry of Education and a general audit of computer systems at schools is planned (http://www.permoboz.ru/txt.php?n=4971). I don't think they'll lead to anything.

      But there's also a vocal opposition and they do have valid arguments, and a lot of FUD along the way. For example, hired MS "experts" say that: "it's impossible to teach computer science to children without using Windows" and "Experts are united in their opinion that Linux can be used only by technically skilled people with an extensive computer knowledge" (translation is mine, original is on: http://www.permoboz.ru/txt.php?n=4971).

      The curious thing is that Russian military already uses customized Linux (it's called MSVS :) - Mobilnaya Sistema dla Vohoruzhionnih Sil, Mobile System for Armed Forces).