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China Says There's No Antitrust Probe On Microsoft

Posted by timothy on from the and-by-under-wraps-we-meant-welcome-to-china dept.

natenovs writes "China's intellectual-property rights enforcer said the government isn't probing Microsoft Corp. for breaching antitrust laws, denying yesterday's report by a state-owned newspaper. 'We are not conducting an anti-monopoly investigation against Microsoft and have no plans to do so,' Yin Xintian, a spokesman and legal director at the State Intellectual Property Office, said by telephone today in Beijing. The newspaper's report is 'completely untrue,' the agency said on its Web site."

87 comments

  1. The Antitrust Probe never happened... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    just like the Tiananmen Square never happened.

    1. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And just like Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia. Orwell based his book upon a similar state to this: Stalinist Russia. The only difference is that these fuckers are just corrupt money-grabbers, INGSOC were after true, permanent power.

      This person predicted it in the last China thread. Looks like Microsoft shuttled bribes over there pretty quickly. This is what globalisation gets you kids: 24 hour bribe responses and payment. Hurrah for the global economy! :)

    2. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by dadatianpu · · Score: -1, Troll

      china is strong we must continue to compete with Japan and China

    3. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by monxrtr · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "However," noted anonymous internet sources, "probing speculation of a possible Chinese antitrust probe were rumored to have been widespread on areas of the internet outside of the China Firewall." The Redland, Shenainiganghei based office confirmed that "plans are just that -- plans -- and not promises of updates, upgrades, releases, or official actions." US officials noted that this statement was delivered by a Chinese intellectual property rights "enforcer", and not the more common Western "Czar". Said the US official, "if China were to lay down it's 'enforcer' card, we would collect that card with our 'Czar' card, according to internationally established rules regarding the power and value of cards."

      --
      "From DNA to P2P, we are all Copycats now. Go Go Copycat Power! Copycat Powers activate! Form of, a Copycat." --monxrtr
    4. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by wanderingknight · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Who the fuck is this guy? A quick look at the post history reveals nothing but nonsense (links to google.com? WTF?), and a quick look in Google for his website's name reveals similar attempts at spamming other community-based sites (quite poorly, if I might add). The website itself doesn't seem too harmful and it seems actually written by a human being instead of by a random bot, but the fact that it has dozens of hyperlinked words makes me doubtful.

    5. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Living in China, you realize pretty quickly that everything is about who you know, and how much "guanxi" you have. Literally, your network of people that you can call on. You can bet that Microsoft knows some people fairly high up in more than one government department in China, and has built up quite a lot of guanxi.

      If I had to guess, I would say that someone was getting annoyed with Microsoft on a personal level, or Microsoft was trying to get around paying someone what they thought they deserved, who then started an investigation from their department. After that it was probably "discovered" by the paper. Then Microsoft called on their own people to fix it for them.

      Another possibility is that someone in the Party wanted something, or wanted to stop something, from Microsoft, and used a planted story in the paper as leverage. Bad press, especially anti-trust in Microsoft's case, does not help their public image.

    6. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by Hal_Porter · · Score: 3, Funny

      Maybe his site is an evil plot by the Chinese government to produce lots of random gibberish in English and make web surfers in the decadent west read it. Sooner or later he by sheer luck he is bound to hit on some English specific Gödel Sentence that causes the evil Americans to have a simultaneous brainstorm. Then China can take over the world.

      I would continue posting, but there's a good documentary I've just finished downloading off conspiracytorrents.net, and I really should watch it.

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
    7. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by sethstorm · · Score: 1

      ...and that "Falun Gong" is just a search engine DoS.

      --
      Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
    8. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by evilkasper · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yin Xintian also stated "We are but a developing 3rd world country how could we possibly conduct an anti-monopoly investigation?"

    9. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by BPPG · · Score: 1

      Oh no! He's one of those new semantic-web bots!

      --
      What's the value of information that you don't know?
    10. Re:The Antitrust Probe never happened... by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      American English is going down the tubes. Should the headline read There is no anti-trust probe into Microsoft. (into Microsoft operations). In the rest of the non-USA world, the word on is reserved for on or off topic, or sitting on a chair, being on time, standing on a podium, but writing about .... So, I want to write about the word on.

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
  2. Chinks are just a bunch of little chicken shit. by willyhlll · · Score: -1, Troll

    Come on, How can we fight M$ Imperalism with a bunch of chinks with small penises? No wonder no one want to marry chinese man!

    We white FOSS man have biggest penises, and we fought M$ real good! Long live RMS! WPWW 1488! HEIL HITLER!

    --

    [twitter: Erris Mactrope gnutoo inTheLoo willeyhill westbake Odder ibane deadzero freenix] See my homepage for info

  3. Amazing by Pasajero · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    What an anonymous donation to the party can do...

  4. In Communist China... by notdotcom.com · · Score: 5, Funny

    In Communist China, antitrust probes you!

    --
    Grandpa: My Homer is not a communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a communist, but he is not a porn star.
    1. Re:In Communist China... by New_Age_Reform_Act · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      To be specific, it probes your ass.

      --
      "The New Age. The New Beginning."
    2. Re:In Communist China... by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 1

      I think it's much more laughable that they have an I.P. office at all! It's like partying at the local Hillel center in Nazi Germany.

    3. Re:In Communist China... by aceofspades1217 · · Score: 1

      Or having a Secretary of Treasury in the bush administration :P

      But really have you seen how bad their ip law is there. Go to hong kong and you can buy an exact copy of any brand.

  5. I was going to say by Lord+MuffloN · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    ...In before M$ haters call conspiracy theory But I'm obviously not fast enough, do M$ haters have a speed dial for /. articles that may be in any way interpreted as something neutral or positive for M$?

    1. Re:I was going to say by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      do M$ haters have a speed dial for /. articles that may be in any way interpreted as something neutral or positive for M$?

      No, it's just that there are a lot of Microsoft 'haters' on this site, so the chances of one of them getting to the article, before you, is very high.

      Also, you don't need Opera speed dial to get to Slashdot quickly, just type: '/.' in the address bar. :)

  6. Hmmmm. by Nero+Nimbus · · Score: 1

    It looks like somebody got their cut.

    1. Re:Hmmmm. by dave1791 · · Score: 1

      And yesterdays "announcement" of an anti-trust suit was to ensure that they got their cut.

      There is nothing to see here... move along.

  7. File this under Duh! by pieisgood · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why would china be concerned with Antitrust probes with software companies when China needs them in order to impose there laws on citizens.

    --
    Eat sleep die
    1. Re:File this under Duh! by Rick+Bentley · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why would china be concerned with Antitrust probes with software companies when China needs them in order to impose there laws on citizens. where laws?
      --
      My favorite quote doesn't fit into 120 characters. Now no one will like me.
    2. Re:File this under Duh! by mqduck · · Score: 1

      darn, you beat me to it.

      --
      Property is theft.
    3. Re:File this under Duh! by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      "Where Laws?" I am responding to previous comment. If the Bush administration doesn't like you, even if you are an American born, it can send you to Guantanomo to be incarcerated without trial or ability to get help. Just like the Chinese, you are either "for me or against me".

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
  8. MOD PARENT UP by twiiiter · · Score: -1

    M$ controlled by a Jew name Steve Ballmer

  9. No by eclectro · · Score: 1

    In Communist China, everyone runs Windows for free!

    --
    Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
    1. Re:No by New_Age_Reform_Act · · Score: 1

      Not exactly free, may be around 20 - 30 renminbi.

      --
      "The New Age. The New Beginning."
    2. Re:No by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Quite, so I'm not sure wholly ineffectual monopolies are the usual target of anti-trust inquiries.

  10. Floodprot! by Smoke2Joints · · Score: 2, Funny

    jebus almighty, at the time of posting, 60% of posts so far are rated below 1. pick the ball up slashdot, this isnt something awful!

  11. They are a developing nation! by Gnodab · · Score: -1, Troll

    They don't have the lawyers to sue a First world company like Microsoft!

    1. Re:They are a developing nation! by Gnodab · · Score: 1

      troll? This was akin to there line: "hack congress? We are a developing nation, we don't have that kind of technology!"

    2. Re:They are a developing nation! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      THEIR, MOTHERFUCKER. THEIR.

    3. Re:They are a developing nation! by Gnodab · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      nope. There.

    4. Re:They are a developing nation! by chedderslam · · Score: 0

      nope. Their.

  12. There is no need for a probe. by jd · · Score: 1, Funny

    Microsoft have already been found guilty. However, the e-book containing permissable sentences for the crime cannot be loaded unser Vista at this time. When an upgrade becomes available...

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  13. M$ controlled by a Jew name Steve Ballmer by willyhlll · · Score: -1, Troll

    Therefore M$ is guilty.

  14. Too bad..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Microsoft could use a good "Chinese anal probe of death" (or two)

  15. Piracy and Monopolies by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Hrmm... if a majority of the software in china is pirated, then can a company really hold a "monopoly" there? MS might have a majority of the desktop market(I'm not sure if they do), but they didn't do this by actually selling their products and making too much of a profit(in china at least). Anyone have any market numbers in terms of MS and how much they make off the chinese market?

    1. Re:Piracy and Monopolies by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      Hrmm... if a majority of the software in china is pirated, then can a company really hold a "monopoly" there? MS might have a majority of the desktop market(I'm not sure if they do)

      They certainly do dominate the desktop as much as in any other country. And big OEMs (Legend, Lenovo, eg) preinstall legal copies of MS software, the same as they do in the US.

      Since Bill had dinner with Hu Jintao, lots of deals have been made to licence MS software.

      By tolerating piracy for a few years, now they've got the market and can monetize it. Sure, there's RedFlag Linux, but it's just as much a minority (and server) enthusiasm as Linux is anywhere else.

    2. Re:Piracy and Monopolies by westlake · · Score: 1
      Anyone have any market numbers in terms of MS and how much they make off the chinese market?

      About $700 million in 2007.

      But Microsoft plays a deep game.

      60% of Microsoft's revenues come from outside the U.S. and have for years now.

      Microsoft is building a $300 million dollar research campus in Beijing's university district - China's "Silicon Valley."

      Microsoft is a considered a prestige employer and will have its pick of 5,000 of the best and brightest.

      How Microsoft Conquered China

    3. Re:Piracy and Monopolies by CastrTroy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      However, isn't that kind of like dumping? Put your product out on the market, for less than it costs to make it, so that people will use it, allowing you to take over the market. Even assuming that people have legit copies of windows, they are still dumping copies of Office, and many other programs that don't come included with computers. By tolerating the piracy, they have been able to use their large monopoly, and vast piles of cash to get a stranglehold on the desktop market.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    4. Re:Piracy and Monopolies by RAMMS+EIN · · Score: 1

      The thing is, when some agency cracks down on at least some of the people who run pirated copies of Windows, those people will be faced with a choice: pay up or cease using Windows. If Windows is required for interoperability with parties you exchange information with, paying for Windows may be your best strategy. So even if there is rampant piracy, as long as there is _some_ incentive to pay for Windows, Microsoft wins. And the combination of lock-in and piracy provides such an incentive.

      --
      Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
    5. Re:Piracy and Monopolies by 1u3hr · · Score: 1
      However, isn't that kind of like dumping?

      Yep. Except they don't have to spend a cent pressing discs. And it's totally deniable; every now an then they make a protest. When there is a mature market it already belongs to them.

  16. No unsual at all.. by shri · · Score: 1, Interesting

    In China-Speak .. this is most probably the beginning of negotiations with Microsoft on various issues. It is not unusual for them to plant stories in the state run media outlets as a warning / thread, followed by an official denial.

    1. Re:No unsual at all.. by shri · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I should add, that this might not be related to Microsoft at all, but could be a warning sign for some other trade negotiations. "Mess this deal up and we're going after Microsoft"

    2. Re:No unsual at all.. by aussie_a · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      In China-Speak Slashdot's racism shining through again. It isn't China-speak, nor is someone from China a China-man. The correct word in both these cases is Chinese. Sheeesh!
    3. Re:No unsual at all.. by jamesh · · Score: 1

      Governments and corporations in all countries do this all the time.

      1. Leak potential new legislation to very unreliable media outlet
      2. Measure public reaction
      3a. if extremely negative then deny it, it came from a very unreliable media outlet after all!
      3b. if only mildly negative then proceed
      4. ???
      5. Profit

    4. Re:No unsual at all.. by shri · · Score: 1

      Jeez. Perhaps if you use this as an online translator ( http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid5_gci212181,00.html ), you'll understand what China(as in the country)-Speak is.

  17. Why all the hub-bub? by T3Tech · · Score: 1
    There are no Windows servers in China. Bill Gates said so:

    We don't have servers inside China, we just don't.
    --
    Of course I didn't RTFA... why would I do that? You really are new here aren't you? Don't let my UID fool you.
    1. Re:Why all the hub-bub? by Hal_Porter · · Score: 5, Informative

      He's saying Microsoft doesn't have servers for its Instant Messenger or Email services inside China, not that there are no Windows servers inside China.

      The point being that your data won't be snarfed, at least in the absence of a court order from the government.

      FT: Microsoft announced a policy last week to only remove blogs from its services in China if it receives a proper legal order. By in the absence of the rule of law, surely you're not going to get a proper court order?

      BG: We're going to get a government order before we do anything. It's actually very clear who gives these orders. They haven't authorised us to be a news service, so the information departments say that is a news/information thing that is not within the writ of your activities. We're not the first media-related entity to have some activity in China.

      FT: Do you keep information on servers inside China?

      BG: Our servers are all outside China. This whole thing of inside versus outside China, I never understand that, it somehow comes up in the Google discussion. I don't get that at all. This is not about where the servers are. We don't have servers inside China, we just don't. It may be that for responsiveness at some point we'll do that, but that's not the way we work today.

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
    2. Re:Why all the hub-bub? by T3Tech · · Score: 1

      He's saying Microsoft doesn't have servers for its Instant Messenger or Email services inside China, not that there are no Windows servers inside China.

      The point being that your data won't be snarfed, at least in the absence of a court order from the government.

      Yes of course, I did actually read that. My point was one of taking his words out of context for humor value. :p
      --
      Of course I didn't RTFA... why would I do that? You really are new here aren't you? Don't let my UID fool you.
  18. The Chinese State Media Is Always Correct by d'fim · · Score: 1

    Yin Xintian is obviously a counter-revolutionary traitor.

    The State Intellectual Property Office will have to be purged.

    Do not believe him! Do not expect to hear from him ever again!

    Nothing to see here . . . move along . . .

    --
    Adherence to the truth is a form of disloyalty.
  19. Capitalism? by Cur8or · · Score: 0

    Obviously MS greased some wheels. Yin Xintian is now the proud owner of an overpriced copy of Windows Vista. Game, set, match, Firefox!

    --
    Winkey shortcut mapping for 64bit windows. WinKeyPlus
  20. True translation of the anti-trust probe by Scr3wFace · · Score: 1

    This is the Chinese way of asking for a bribe!

  21. Somewhere in China by QuantumG · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    A newspaper copy writer is lining up against the wall to be shot.

    His family will never mention his name again.

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  22. There's no Microsoft monopoly in China by themushroom · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...because every copy of Windows there is pirated. :)

    --
    Laughter is the Spackle of the Soul.
    1. Re:There's no Microsoft monopoly in China by thomasw_lrd · · Score: 1

      Maybe China finally figured out the ???. 1. Fight MS 2. Get Bribed 3. Profit

      --
      21st Century Renaissance Man
    2. Re:There's no Microsoft monopoly in China by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      These are not the pirated cd's you are looking for...(wiggling jedi fingers)...move along...nothing to see here...

  23. Gate Slept with President Hu Jintao by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Of course there's no probe and this was made sure two years ago: http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/04/19/77549_HNprezhuandgates_1.html

  24. You forgot one word. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yet...

  25. China also says there's no.... by aussie_a · · Score: 3, Insightful

    1) Tibet
    2) inherent right to free speech
    3) right to decide how many children you have
    4) rights inherent to human beings.

    I don't think I'm going to trust China on what it says does or does not exist.

    1. Re:China also says there's no.... by Hal_Porter · · Score: 1

      1) Tibet
      2) inherent right to free speech
      3) right to decide how many children you have
      4) rights inherent to human beings.

      5) Taiwan

      I don't think I'm going to trust China on what it says does or does not exist.

      I don't trust them either. But I think they're telling the truth here. The leaked that there would be an antitrust probe. Microsoft contacted them and made some sort of concession. Then they denied the rumours. It's a negotiating tactic.

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
    2. Re:China also says there's no.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In response to 2 - 4, there simply aren't any such things. We've just collectively as a western world decided that they are good things to have. China disagrees. Unless you care to explain to me why there are such things?

    3. Re:China also says there's no.... by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 2, Insightful

      In response to 2 - 4, there simply aren't any such things. We've just collectively as a western world decided that they are good things to have. China disagrees. Unless you care to explain to me why there are such things? All three of those in the list are the natural state of existence if no one were to interfere.
      Collectively, as a western world, we've decided to claim we don't interfere.
      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    4. Re:China also says there's no.... by Sandybandy · · Score: 1
      Read the Chinese constitution.

      Freedom and equality of ordinary people is the priority nro 1. http://english.people.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html

      ctrl + f + freedom

    5. Re:China also says there's no.... by xtracto · · Score: 1

      3) right to decide how many children you have

      Just a comment on that. On one side, I have heard several comments regarding how Chinese are spreading (people have even used the work "Invading") all the countries, and that they should stay out of America/UK/Europe/Mexico/etc...

      On the other side I read people like you whining about the government policy for overpopulation control.

      Someone has to do something to stop the over population of a country, and the only one who can do it is the government of such a country. In México we had a program several years ago, it was nothing as strong as the Chinese one but there were several advertisements (TV, radio, newspaper, etc) by the government giving the message "Pocos hijos para darles mucho" (few children to give them a lot).

      --
      Ubuntu is an African word meaning 'I can't configure Debian'
    6. Re:China also says there's no.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      I hate to see people criticize China's one child policy. Without it, China maybe now facing extreme case of food shortage. So, instead of becoming another poor nation that need international aids, it sacrifice as a nation and bootstrapped itself into self sustainable. I like to see the same level of sacrifice from you and your country. No, if we stop polluting the world, we might harm our economy, that's bull.

      Yes, you do inherent right to free speech, the government just ignore you. So, what's the difference?

    7. Re:China also says there's no.... by networkconsultant · · Score: 1

      So far the implications because of abortions mean there will be too many men

    8. Re:China also says there's no.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      3) right to decide how many children you have China is full of computer nerds. How does this affect them?
      On a serious note, if you ask most Chinese people (ie the ones walking around on the streets) they believe that the government protects a fundamental right to survive. I guess that's like saying the right to live supersedes all other "creature comfort" rights found in democratic societies.
    9. Re:China also says there's no.... by Wildclaw · · Score: 3, Insightful

      1) Tibet China says there is no independent Tibet, and from where I stand it is very obvious that they are right. China has complete control over Tibet, just like the US has complete control over land areas that previously used to belong to other populations.

      2) inherent right to free speech Same with many other countries, with restrictions on libel, slander, hate speech, "confidential" information, etcetra. Although I agree that China does take a rather extreme view to the whole "subvert the goverment" stance, and disagree very much with them on this issue.

      3) right to decide how many children you have Atleast one country has understood that the earth can support only so many people. As a primary instinct of humans is to procreate it isn't strange that you have to rely on societal organisations to limit that activity.

      Of course, christians would rather prefer that the world became overcrowded with poor miserable people than remained decently populated with content people. (Sorry, that was a jab against religious anti-abortists)

      4) rights inherent to human beings First of all, inherent is deceptive word as there can't be any inherent rights for human beings just as there can't be any inherent rights for any being.

      I think what you are talking about is what we as humans, intelligent group animals with empathy, recognize as rights that humans (and animals in some cases) should have independent on the strain/hardship it puts on the rest of society.

      China which is rooted in a deeply in a community first philosophy of course have less such views, although as they are growing richer and communicating more with western countries, they are gradually changing. Of course, it will probably take a long time, but you can actually see small seeds being planted already.

      US is probably not the best places to be talking about "inherent" human rights though. The death penalty is completly unneeded and a big violation to many people. Slashdot is another place that is very selective on human rights. Economic liberterianism is very similar to the chinese view, sacrifice individuals for the greater good, although libertarianism and China defines "greater good" quite differently.

    10. Re:China also says there's no.... by moosesocks · · Score: 1

      5) Profit

      --
      -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
    11. Re:China also says there's no.... by z00_miak · · Score: 1

      1) Tibet 2) inherent right to free speech 3) right to decide how many children you have 4) rights inherent to human beings.

      China acknowledges Tibet, they built a damn railroad to Lhasa (world's highest railroad).

      Let's also set this straight, China does not force their citizens to have one child. They strongly encourage it.

      If a Chinese couple wishes to have an additional child, they have to pay a heavy fee as penalty, this is used as a deterrent. Additionally, the one child rule is largely ignored in the more remote parts of the country.

      I applaud China's effort to control the population. If other Governments don't follow suit (where it's needed), there are going to be problems.

      Perhaps you should be making more informed criticisms.

      I should note that I have nothing to say about points 2 and 4.

    12. Re:China also says there's no.... by ljgshkg · · Score: 1

      Actually, the western world does interfere. You can be sued if you "insulted" somenoe when his idea is "evil" in your eyes. And you're "spreading hate" if you speak of some "hate" that's natrually a product of history even if you're not going to do anything extreme. Basically, these "sounding good" law is not only not solving any problem, but boost the hate and disagreement and let it increase over time because of the control in speech. If you believe something and "respect" someone that you see as wrong, you're just not believing in something strong enough, or it's just matter that you don't really care.

    13. Re:China also says there's no.... by SoulRider · · Score: 1

      I think you can be pretty safe in adding "to the best of my knowledge" to every and all statements made by chinese officials.

  26. John McCain... by FranTaylor · · Score: 1, Troll

    is apparently advising the Chinese government.

    1. Re:John McCain... by negRo_slim · · Score: 1

      that made me giggle!

      --
      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
  27. Put up or... by nthcode · · Score: 1

    pay up?

  28. In other news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Microsoft today donated 1,000 new computers to the Chinese Ministry...

    1. Re:In other news by francium+de+neobie · · Score: 1

      Why would the Chinese want their own stuff back?

  29. Comes to a satisfactory conclusion by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 1
    As predicted yesterday, today's announcement indicates that the negotiations have come to a satisfactory conclusions. All the minor gods in the pantheon of Chinese Government have been propitiated and the company executives have been put in their place.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    1. Re:Comes to a satisfactory conclusion by BlackCobra43 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Thank God we don't have anything like that here in democratic America. Excuse me, I have to go get my...laundry...from the lobbyists.

      --
      I never spellcheck and I freely admit it. Save your karma for more worthwhile "lol erorrs" replies
  30. ...no freedom. by sethstorm · · Score: 1, Informative

    Article 51. The exercise by citizens of the People's Republic of China of their freedoms and rights may not infringe upon the interests of the state, of society and of the collective, or upon the lawful freedoms and rights of other citizens. Not even FDR, Truman, or the labor unions could outdo that.
    --
    Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
  31. Intellectual property rights enforcer? by nimbius · · Score: 1

    did someone from the BSA get lost on the way to the boardroom?

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
  32. So... by kellyb9 · · Score: 1

    China is denying a report... in a paper they own... something seems strange here.

    1. Re:So... by z00_miak · · Score: 1

      China is denying a report... in a paper they own... something seems strange here. That's simple, it's Doublespeak.

      Shady monopoly business vs shady Government, this should turn out well.

  33. On the other side, the US says there's no.... by siufish · · Score: 1

    1) evolution
    2) inherent right to habeas corpus
    3) right to decide what to do with your legally purchased mp3s
    4) rights inherent to human beings (privacy, not subject to torture, etc)

    The US also says there's...
    1) WMD in Iraq
    2) evidence that earth was created 2,000 years ago
    3) rights by content provider to manage your legally purchased mp3s
    4) rights by Disney to extend copyright terms for 20 years

    I don't think I'm going to trust the US on what it says does or does not exist.

    The only right ensured in the US: Digital Rights!