Waging War on Business

[George Gambill]

Darrell,

I totally agree that using unlicensed software (not free software) is
stealing.

But, I bought a license for standard MS Office Suite (I think that is what
they called it).  This is the 4 package (Word, Excel, Power Point and
Outlook), less expensive one that does not include a license for MS access.
I could have gotten a copy form friends.  But, I DO NOT do bootlegged stuff.
I believe that what goes around comes around and with interest.

I did the standard (no brainer, no decisions) install.  Took all defaults.
brain

Later, I learned of a local organization that did as I did, on a bunch of
PCs.  BSA did a survey on them and found a bunch of unlicensed copies of MS
Access.  It seems that when you do the no-brainer (take the defaults)
install, MS also loads (without telling you) an unlicensed copy of Access.
Ms seems to skillfully withheld this material information.  Now BSA wants a
lot of money.

I checked my machine and found an unlicensed copy of MS access.  Surprise,
surprise.  It is gone now.

If I remember right (I'll need to check this), my legal dictionary (Blacks)
says that withholding material information is fraud.  

As a side bar, "Fraud vitiates the most solemn contracts, documents and even
judgements."  U.S. vs. Throckmorton 98 , US 61 at page 65.

Further, if I remember right, "multiple instances" of "ongoing fraud"
constitutes Racketeering (RICO).

Could it be, the folks in Redmond are guilty of fraud?  Maybe even
racketeering?

Interesting thought.




-----Original Message-----

From: "Darrell Shandrow" <nu7i@azboss.net>
To: <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Subject: Re: Waging War on Business
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 17:04:50 -0700
Reply-To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us

Hi William,

In some ways, this practice does not seem overly unreasonable to me.  After
all, stealing is stealing.  Its one thing for home users to do this, but it
is quite another more serious matter for a business to be using stolen
software as tools to make money!  If a business is doing the right thing
with respect to its software use, then there should be no need for amnesty
or for worries about what a disgruntled employee might say.  Just my $.02...

Darrell Shandrow - Shandrow Communications!
Technology consultant/instructor, network/systems administrator!
A+, CCNA, Network+!
Check out high quality telecommunications services at http://ld.net/?nu7i
My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the astronauts lost in
the 2/1/03 space shuttle explosion!
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Lindley" <wlindley@wlindley.com>
To: "Phoenix Linux Users Group" <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 4:53 PM
Subject: Waging War on Business


> How do you spell extortion? BSA, RIAA, DMCA
> (InfoWorld)  By Tom  Yager January 31, 2003
>
> In Dallas , the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is running radio ads
> offering amnesty to businesses. Confess your companywide software piracy
> before the end of February, the announcer gently offers, and you'll only
> have to pay your overdue license fees. That seems reasonable enough, but
> then the ad turns dark. If you have just one disgruntled ex-employee out
> there, a BSA spokesperson intones, his call to the BSA could cost you
> $150,000 for each user it deems unlicensed. One disgruntled ex-employee,
> one competitor, one vendor that couldn't sell you a license renewal -- a
> tip's a tip.
>
> Rest of the story --
>
> http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/01/31/05estrat_1.html?business
>
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