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Microsoft Moves To Change NY State Election Law

Posted by kdawson on from the taking-a-page-from-the-telcos dept.

myspace-cn sends us to Bo Lipari's blog where it is revealed that Microsoft has moved forcefully into New York State with proposed changes to NY state election law drafted by Microsoft attorneys. A document has been circulating (PDF) among the legislators for a while now. The proposed changes would gut the source-code escrow and review provisions in current law that were hard-fought-for and passed in New York in 2005. Microsoft is siding with the makers of voting machines that run on Windows — the company doesn't want its code inspected by outsiders. From the article: "Now the software giant has gone a step further, not just saying 'we won't comply with your law' but actively trying to change state law to serve their corporate interests... Adding insult to injury, these changes are being slipped into a bill that may be voted on Monday or Tuesday, June 18 or 19."

8 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. Hahaha... these Americans... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I know they would still vote Bill Gates for president.

    Just because he had so much TV time...

  2. Wrong by Ramble · · Score: 3, Funny

    No matter how sympathetic I am to Microsoft and no matter how much I like Vista. This should be illegal and it is most certainly wrong. Lets hope that NY state officials have the sense to stick with open source software.

    --
    "Oh boy"
    1. Re:Wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Wow, IdleTime says the USA sucks, so it must be true. You did such a good job of telling us something that is wrong with the US political system, or naming a country who has one that is better. We all learned so much from your comment.

    2. Re:Wrong by Ramble · · Score: 1, Funny

      Three, are you crazy? At least tens of dozens.

      --
      "Oh boy"
    3. Re:Wrong by 644bd346996 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Duh?

      Music Piracy.

  3. Re:Microsoft shouldn't be in the voting business by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 2, Funny

    What's the big deal? It's already a BLUE state...

  4. microsoft for president! by widget54 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Lets cut out the well bribed middlemen and just elect corporations to run the country...think of the money it would save them!!!

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi
  5. Re:Life, liberty, and the pursuit of blogs. by BakaHoushi · · Score: 5, Funny

    It sounds like the only way to solve America's growing problem of corporations taking over is... a good old fashioned rumble.

    Microsoft v. Wal*Mart!
    GE v. Disney!
    Halliburton v. Exxon-Mobile!

    This sunday, sunday, SUNDAY, watch white collar workers get red in the face and a bad case of the Mondays! Marketers place ads all OVEr each other's faces! Accountants will be adding up plenty of lumps!

    And for the finale, Steve Ballmer v. Eisner! Hold on to your seats, because somebody is gonna get CEOwned!