Software piracy complains from Microsoft help Russia quash political opposition

[thewayne]

"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.'"

Pretty much every corporation has evil bits. Apple does, Google does. I'd like to think that Ben & Jerry's, under the original ownership, didn't. But this really takes the cake, right up there with revealing political dissident blogger identities.

I wonder how long before we see such political/corporate/legal activity over here?

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/09/12/131247/Microsoft-Complaints-Help-Russian-Govt-Pursue-Political-Opposition-Groups

Comments

[silveradept]

Already happens, I'm guessing. The Media Cabals can't be the only people who are selectively choosing who to sue or investigate.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

The media cabals are definitely selective about their enforcement, witness the Warner(?) VP whose kids downloaded music from torrents to iPods. I wouldn't say that their selective enforcement is political -- yet. But what MS is doing in conjunction with the Russian gov't is definitely political.

[silveradept]

Hrm, true. Microsoft has so far been anticompetitive, but not political in their attacks. Although, if you believe the stories of backdoors being built into Windows for government snooping to be allowed, then it's a different story. Considering, too, that there are some regimes that are demanding insecure communications so they can spy on it, and some companies are complying, maybe that's where we should be looking for political compliance - in setting things up to be deliberately insecure.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

I think that ultimately as insecurity is purposely built in to products and becomes more known, you'll see the fictional darknet become a reality. And then it will be compromised and commercialized, and the cycle will repeat.