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Microsoft: don't use pirated software, but if you do, use ours
Microsoft spends an awful lot of money every year trying to make sure you don't use bootleg copies of their software. But Microsoft business group president Jeff Raikes had something interesting to say at the Morgan Stanley Technology conference last week.Essentially, he said if people are going to use pirated software, he'd prefer they use bootleg copies of Microsoft programs.
While this sounds funny at first, it actually makes a lot of sense. If you're using a bootleg copy of Office 2007, you might be tempted to pick up a copy of Office 2011 or whatever's next. And while you might be able to find a way to download a pirated copy of that too, maybe Microsoft will finally come up with an uncrackable copy protection scheme (ha!), or you'll be in a position where you're more comfortable paying for software by the time the next version comes out.
But it's still not something you'd expect to hear someone at Microsoft actually say out loud.
Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsMonotoMar 13th 2007 2:12PM
The sad thing is that the more I use Microsoft programs, the more annoyed I get with all the ways they try to "help" me. The next time Word tries to suggest formatting in a document I'm laying out, I'm gonna scream. And I still fail to see the advantage to Windows Genuine Advantage.
There once was a time when the good software came from the big companies, and the free stuff was pretty crappy. Unfortunately for Microsoft, that time is ancient history.
EricMar 13th 2007 3:08PM
Actually it makes a lot of sense, as Microsoft wants you to use their bootlegged software at home, so you'll feel comfortable with their applications - so when you go to work - the work place has to buy it..since you're already used to it.
or not. :)
PhatmanMar 13th 2007 4:02PM
Eric,
Exactly. If you are going to use microsoft software (legally or not) you are still gaining experience with Microsoft software. If you use free software instead (Linux, Open Office, etc) then you are no longer that familiar with new Microsoft crap and then there will be less demand for Microsoft crap. Combine that with you possibly teaching other people how they can use the same free stuff and Microsoft starts seriously losing market share to OSS.
JamesMar 13th 2007 4:50PM
The joke behind "Genuine Advantage" is that MS has managed to convince people that bootleg software is exactly like bootleg movies or knock-off purses or watches or whatever. Just like your Folex is a pale imiation of the multi-thousand dollar Swiss timepiece and loses a minute every day (mine has the little crown logo pasted on at a slight angle), your $2-in-Chinatown Vista Ultimate must somehow be a shoddy re-creation of the original.
I'm not kidding. I think it was this very blog, somebody posted in the comments (I'm not quoting, but very much along the lines of):
"Yeah, piracy is bad. I had a pirate copy of Windows installed and it was really buggy and crashed all the time. Since I bought the real thing and installed that I haven't had any problems!"
Wow. Just, wow. The sheer magnitude of computer illiteracy in the world utterly floors me.
JamesMar 13th 2007 5:55PM
Consider this: If you use a bootleg copy of a program then you won't need any other programs in that same category. So if you use Excel you won't need another spreadsheet, and if you use Fetch you won't need another FTP program.
Extending this logic, if you use a bootleg copy of software from Microsoft, who has a huge cash position and is not going to go out of business any time soon, you actually put pressure on competitor's of Microsoft.
Since you aren't buying their software either, and they are probably not as rich as microsoft you are in essense doing Microsoft's dirty work by artificially capping the demand for a particular product category. A smaller market for a given segment will scare new players away and may convince current players to fold up their tent as well. It might not be worth it to be in that business if there is no way to gain marketshare - especially in a mature market.
This pirating - in this case - strengthens Microsoft's current market position - which will eventually lead to less players in a segment. Since software is not an expiring commodity it doesn't really hurt them that much and it keeps them out of hot water with government agencies who frown upon anti-competitive behavior. (read: they don't have to be a bully because you're doing it for them)
So while you may think they're being nice with a "try it before you buy it" attitude they are indirectly putting pressure on their competitors to go away. Then you won't have any choice.
When that day comes you'll probably get the death penalty for pirating MS software.