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BSA Software Piracy Fight Smacks of RIAA Crackdown

Posted by Zonk on from the making-enemies-in-all-places dept.

Ron Paul Dennis Kucinich writes "A Business Software Alliance raid on musical-instrument maker Ernie Ball Inc. cost the company $90,000 in a settlement. Soon after, Microsoft sent other businesses in the region around Ball's a flyer offering discounts on software licenses, along with a reminder not to wind up like Ernie Ball. Enraged, CEO Sterling Ball vowed never to use Microsoft software again, even if 'we have to buy 10,000 abacuses.' Similar BSA raids around the country have been provoking strong reactions from put-upon business owners, echoing similar reactions to music-lovers targeted by the RIAA."

12 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. BSA Tip Line by mastershake_phd · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe the RIAA will take a page out of the BSA play book and start a tip line. I can see it now "Drop the dime on your friends, family, and coworkers and get a free Brittany Spears CD!"

    --
    Libertarian Leaning Political Discussion Forum.
    1. Re:BSA Tip Line by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Or the other way around -- give us the name of a music pirate, or we'll flood your mailbox with Britney Spears CDs!

      That should frighten anyone with ears.

    2. Re:BSA Tip Line by bytesex · · Score: 3, Funny

      I don't have ears, you insensitive clod ! Maybe they could threaten to flood my inbox with those upskirts pics instead.

      --
      Religion is what happens when nature strikes and groupthink goes wrong.
  2. Yes, he REALLY meant abacuses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Come on you nerds, he said it for dramatic effect. HE IS NOT GOING TO START SLIDING FUCKING NOBS ACROSS STICKS.

    So you can stop saying "no need for abacuses! try linux!"

  3. Re:Authority for raids? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Ever read a EULA?
    I haven't, but you grant them permission in there somewhere.

  4. Ahh!!! by NickCatal · · Score: 3, Funny

    Submitted by 'Ron Paul Dennis Kucinich'

    Oh my god, Slashdot has become Reddit

    --
    -nick
  5. Re:Authority for raids? by RuBLed · · Score: 4, Funny

    Like DMCA Title IV Section 408?

  6. Can we get a new icon? by zappepcs · · Score: 4, Funny

    something with a handgun and a foot?

    --
    Support NYCountryLawyer RIAA vs People
    1. Re:Can we get a new icon? by Rufty · · Score: 2, Funny

      Such an icon would have limited applicability.
      Anything concerning the the RIAA could still contain the "foot" part, but the "gun" would have to be large and belt fed.

      --
      Red to red, black to black. Switch it on, but stand well back.
  7. The REAL question is, by BlackCobra43 · · Score: 4, Funny

    do the abacuses run Linux?

    --
    I never spellcheck and I freely admit it. Save your karma for more worthwhile "lol erorrs" replies
  8. Re:10,000 Abacuses? by joebutton · · Score: 3, Funny

    Abacuses are extremely reliable. You can always count on them.

    --
    http://savingiceland.org
  9. I'm compiling Gentoo on it right now. by DanielJosphXhan · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's going to take about 34 years, but on the upside, I'll have very muscular fingers.

    --
    [ think ]