By George Norman - Software News Editor
Added on 29 Oct 2008(741 Views)
Following last week's release of its WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) and OGA (Office Genuine Advantage) on the Chinese people in an attempt to cut down piracy rates, Microsoft ended up being sued – twice. The first one to sue Microsoft over the “black screen” incident was Dong Zhengwei; he is now joined by a Beijing resident known only by his surname – Liu.

In the lawsuit that Liu has filed with the Chinese authorities he demands that Microsoft take down the “You may be the victim of pirated software” notice from his desktop. Those of you who are used with the sue-inclined American culture might expect Liu to demand some astonishingly high monetary retribution – after all, Microsoft surely has some millions to spare. If you thought that then you would be wrong. Liu does not want any money from Microsoft!


Dong Zhengwei as well does not want to obtain any monetary benefits from the lawsuit that he filed against Microsoft. He just wants the software manufacturer to be criminally charged for hacking into people's systems and installing that unwanted piece of software (WGA and OGA). He has also suggested that Microsoft be fined $1 billion.

The way Dong Zhengwei sees it is that Microsoft has the right to protect the intellectual value of its software, but it is going about it the wrong way. Private users are entitled to their privacy, they have rights that Microsoft has trespassed upon. Going after the individual user is not the answer; going after those that manufacture and market pirated software is. The only public institution that seems to be on Microsoft's side is the Chinese National Copyright Administration, but even they have stated that Microsoft should reconsider its methods.

What do you think? Are these lawsuits frivolous? Is Microsoft right for blacking out the screens of the larger part of the estimated 200 million users of pirated Windows software?





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Tags: Microsoft, Windows, WGA, OGA

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Comments

John - 11 Jul 2009 20:38
The only illegal thing here is Microsoft. The purpose of buying is to own (not rent!). Once you pay for it
Dave - 11 Jul 2009 20:31
Microsoft is illegally installing WGA on computers. First, they tell everyone it is a CRITICAL update (as though the pc won't run without it?) This is a fraudulent claim,
Criss B - 29 Oct 2008 19:49
If they indeed had illegal MS software on their systems, why the hell was the autoupdate feature turned on? If you are going to use pirated software, then make sure you don't get caught with your pants down.
P Fezziwig - 29 Oct 2008 16:52
Sounds good to me, if their software isn't pirated it shouldn't be a problem, if it is illegal then they deserve to be screwed.

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