[pp.int.general] Microsoft Drafts Consumers In FightAgainstSoftware Piracy: Carrot And Stick

[Reinier Bakels]

The issue (see subject line) was that MS by and large depends on forced 
sales:
1) because new computers are bundled with MS products
2) because of tight enforcement
Few people buy new MS products because they like new functionality. This 
business model can not last forever. Like Christian Engström once said: a 
dieing giant can cause a lot of damage. MS will ask for ever bloodier 
enforcement, and Bill Gates as the richest man on earth still is America's 
pride - Americans will protect their prodigy son.
Criminal enforcement will be preferred
1) because the taxpayers pays
2) because MS is not directly involved: the police does the dirty work and 
MS can say: "it is the law"
The end effect will be massive STATE TERRORISM (terrorism is defined i nthe 
Dutch crimonal code as behaviour intended to induce fear for [large] groups 
of citizens).

In sum: pirates are indispensable!

reinier