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Microsoft Complaints Help Russian Gov't Pursue Political Opposition Groups
asaz989 writes "The New York Times reports that Russia selectively pursues software piracy complaints from Microsoft in order to suppress the opposition — confiscating computers for evidence, searching offices, and the like. Microsoft lawyers usually back the authorities in such cases, even when cases such as that of the environmentalist group Baikal Waves, which went out of its way to buy licenses to prevent police harassment and nevertheless had its offices raided, and its computers confiscated. Microsoft participated in this legal process. Published alongside this story, under the same byline, is a related piece on the collusion of Microsoft lawyers with corrupt Russian police in extorting money from the targets of software piracy investigations. In a responding press release, the company states, 'Microsoft antipiracy efforts are designed to honor both [antipiracy concerns and human rights], but we are open to feedback on what we can do to improve in that regard.'"
Yes, but Microsoft is apparently in collusion to help the police in these cases. That's disgusting. Absolutely disgusting and it would be so no matter if it was Apple, Google, or some other software vendor.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV)
In as much as Microsoft isn't stepping up to clear the names of groups (like Baikal Wave) that have legitimate copies of their software, but are apparently helping the police bully groups that don't, I think you're missing the point. Microsoft isn't just a pawn in this, they're actively helping the state and not helping innocent victims. They're making definite choices who to assist and it's not a purely business decision. (Clearing the your customers of stealing from you is good business.)
>You could be using a lab full od Linux PCs
In fact three of the computers taken ran Linux.
Apple has "Mac vs PC", Microsoft has "Laptop Hunters", Linux has recession
Russia by definition can't be a third world country as they define the second world
Soviet Union defined the "second world". That country is no more.
how the fuck can you put Russia in the same category as Nigeria?
As of 2008:
Population
Russia: 142 021 thousand
Nigeria: 140 003 thousand
Gini coefficient
Russia: 40.5
Nigeria: 43.7
Corruption index
Russia: 143rd place
Nigeria: 147th place
Average male life expectance
Russia: 58 years
Nigeria: 52 years
Mortality rate
Russia: 16,04 deaths per 1000 people
Nigeria: 16,68 deaths per 1000 people
Property right protection index
Russia: 63rd out of 70
Nigeria: 64th out of 70
Number of citizens in favor of democracy
Russia: 47.8%
Nigeria: 44.2%
Number of citizens claiming that stability is more important than freedom of speech
Russia: 47%
Nigeria: 43%
Press freedom index ("Reporters without borders")
Russia: 144th out of 169
Nigeria: 131st out of 169
Ease of doing business index (World Bank)
Russia: 106th out of 178
Nigeria: 108th out of 178
Economic freedom index (WSJ / Heritage Foundation)
Russia: 120th out of 171
Nigeria: 131st out of 171
Global peace index (IEP)
Russia: 118th out of 121
Nigeria: 117th out of 121
The economies of both countries rely mostly on export of natural resources, primarily oil and gas.
If you thought that Brin was joking when he said that "Russia is Nigeria with snow", then you were wrong. He actually meant precisely what he said, and numbers back it up.
Oh, and in case someone might want to attack me as an "ignorant American clueless of other countries", I'm Russian.