[Fsf-friends] QUERY: Any suggestions how we could help these guys in any way?

FN fred@bytesforall.org
Fri, 31 Jan 2003 00:01:10 +0530


... probably we need to help both Microsoft to get tighter, and those 
wanting to make the shift away... FN

Microsoft on the prowl for unlicensed users in Kerala

By Sanu George, Indo-Asian News Service

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 30 (IANS) In its drive against copyright
infringement, Microsoft has sent undercover legal officials to catch
computer resellers in Kerala using unlicensed versions of the software
giant's programs.

According to industry sources, four computer resellers have already been
fined Rs.30,000 each for selling Microsoft products without licences and
given a stern warning.

"Two people posing as architects arrived at the office of a leading
 computer reseller and asked for the latest personal computer. After the
 machine was supplied with unlicensed software, the two architects
 revealed they were Microsoft officials and took action against the
 reseller," a reseller here told IANS, requesting anonymity.

Sources said four resellers were sent notices and asked to meet the
Microsoft attorney at a resort in suburban Thiruvananthapuram.

"What we have been told is that they were all fined Rs.30,000 and let off
with a warning," said a computer reseller.

The Microsoft officials also visited a few computer institutes here and
gathered information about the sellers who had supplied machines to them.

All Kerala Computer Products and Dealers Association president John
 Kottara said while Microsoft was within its rights to act against
 unlicensed users, the industry was not sure how to respond to these
 undercover checks.

"We have not yet decided how to handle this situation," Kottara said.

J. Salim, who runs an IT institute here, told IANS: "In the long run,
 such raids might hamper the prospects of Microsoft."

He added, "One way is to go in for Linux. This free operating system is
becoming very popular."

--Indo-Asian News Service