Microsoft warns customers against bogus 'Blue Edition' Office Microsoft has today filed 63 lawsuits against online auctioneers in 12 countries who allegedly sold pirated copies of MS software on sites including its own MSN shopping network. The company said the number of counterfeit Microsoft goods sold online was getting out of hand. “Dishonest auctioneers are too often using these …
to pirated MS office... get OpenOffice.org for free
Apart from no Outlook mail client, it'll handle MS Excel, Word & Powerpoint docs (if you really need to save in that format).
I read (probably on here) MS make more money out of Office than Windows, so vote with your (legal) wallet & visit http://www.openoffice.org
MS seems to like putting gray market product in the same basket as outright counterfeits. I can never trust their numbers...
The only way people buy Vista is already installed on a computer, So the only bootlegs will be on computers sold by small Chinese clone shops around the world.
Here's an idea for MS's marketing boys.
Post a load of online ads such as: "W1nd0ws XP!!!!!11!! Cheap!!!!!! Buy discounted XP heer!!!!11111!!! D0wnl0ad now!!!". When your fish bites and pays you should then, er, give him a genuine copy of XP......
(NB: to keep the stuffed shirts happy, you could include a free Vista upgrade, not that anyone'll want it.)
I can understand if Microsoft wants to eliminate pirated copies.
But, what about stuff sold by Microsoft in violation of US antitrust laws? Do they not count?
The US Appellate court did decide that IE commingled with the OS was illegal. Yet Microsoft continues to produce such a product. Maybe the pirated copies are also commingled and that is why Microsoft thinks they should be eliminated?
More likely Microsoft management just thinks only it can engage in illegal commerse and profit thereby.
ROFL, ok ok so that was a totally bull shit reaction. Really it was /points and laughs at M$. Seriously given who were talking about is it really surprising they can't keep pirated copies of their own software of their own auction site? I mean really... seriously.... nono really seriously, who is surprised?? Anyone, anyone?? Show of hands please.
“Dishonest auctioneers are too often using these online auction sites to sell counterfeit and illegal copies of Microsoft software, taking advantage of unsuspecting customers around the world,”
Taking advantage of unsuspecting customers around the world..
/me shakes head at the hippocracy.
I have "pirated" XP in the past - purely because I've lost the CD - and Microsoft would rather I have shelled out for a whole new license! In addition to that; I'd now be prepared to pirate it because its so hard to get your hands on now!
If MS wont sell me the software; they shouldn't complain when I just go off and get it from somewhere else.
[Similarly; I've used this Blue Edition of MS Office - and it was actually to evaluate office. I didnt want to shell out for a big disappointment... In the end I went with OO. I do NOT need MORE bloat installed on the Windows boxes I manage - the OS is enough thankyou!]
So Microsoft, where do I purchase a copy of Windows XP for my new computer that I put together from parts? You don't sell it anymore, as far as I know. What seems to be the problem with copying it now?
I will not install Vista because there is no reason to waste electricity on a ridiculous interface, I don't need UAC because I know what I'm doing. I want XP.
I think companies like Microsoft need to wake up. It's ridiculous. Do they realize that from my point of view, they have BURNED all of the goodwill they earned over the last few decades?
Based on their OS fiasco, I recommend to everyone I know: Avoid Microsoft until they start selling XP again. Vista is not green. It's nothing but pain watching and waiting for Vista to boot up, and Microsoft is out of excuse. We're fed up with you.
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