[Reader-list] Microsoft lost! Linux wins?

[Irina Aristarkhova]

There has been moderately active Linux community in Russia, with 
availability of cheap hardware and good programming skills. However, 
there has been little government or institutional support, and a lack 
of understanding of why one would want not to use Windows. But not 
anymore.

Runet and Russian official media have been flooded with discussions 
and instructions on open source, and what it would take to drop 
Microsoft 'soft' altogether. All this has been prompted by the recent 
legal case of 'Microsoft versus Ponosov'. Alexander Ponosov is a 
school director from a Perm' region (Ural mountains), who does not 
seem to be an 'advanced' Windows user himself (which in Russia 
usually means word, exel and powerpoint). However, he was charged 
with violating Microsoft copyright, and under the current legal 
provision could be sentenced for 5 years in jail. Plus Micrisoft side 
demanded 266.593.63 roubles (presumably calculated to equal 10.000 
dollars, but the dollar is falling), from a school director whose 
salary is probably 200-300 dollars per month (at best!).

What is it all about? 20 computers in his school computer lab, with 
illegal copies of Windows, claims Microsoft side, that violates 
piracy law and its IP.

It started as a quiet case, but gradually became a matter of national 
concern. It became about "American multi-national mammoth 
corporation" against "a little man" of our own. The fact that Ponosov 
(whose name, curiously, might be translated both as related to 'nose' 
as well as 'diarrhea' that is widely referred to in Runet) looked 
like he had no clue what it is all about, was an 'ordinary' man, 
making very little money in a remote secondary school, unconnected to 
IT sector, showed how unwise Microsoft actions were. Until then 
Russia was demonstratively trying hard to fit Western IP laws. But 5 
years in jail for 20 computers in a school lab?

First, Russian bloggers started flooding Microsoft with letters that 
they all use pirated Windows, and that they are ready to go to jail 
for Ponosov. He had no idea what was on those computers, while they, 
real programmers and IT geeks, know what they are doing. Take me! 
Leave a poor school teacher alone! they were typing and e-mailing off.

Second, Russian television and press jumped on this out of control, 
pressing local authorities to think further (at first it seemed as if 
Microsoft surely had the case, and would win it. Ponosov was visibly 
worried that he would lose).

Microsoft corporation still had no comment, saying it is handled by 
its office in Moscow.

Third, Gorbachev wrote an open letter to Bill Gates, asking him to 
personally interfere, and stop the case. Putin called the case "dog's 
rubbish".

It was becoming an international scandal for Microsoft. And Bill 
Gates in his reply to Gorbachev distanced himself and his corporation 
from this case, arguing that it was started by Russians against 
Russians, and Microsoft had nothing to do with it.

Meanwhile, Ponosov was becoming more and more visible and vocal, 
giving interviews to BBC and other major media.

About two weeks ago a judge ruled that this case should be dismissed, 
since the charges (10,000 dollars and 5 years in jail) were 
unreasonable.

Ponosov is unhappy and plans to appeal, he wants to be declared 
'innocent'. Microsoft lost a very important case, made more important 
by its own making. And Russian officials, schools and Runet are busy 
discussing what it would take NOT to use Windows. They are not sure 
yet, and they feel it is a difficult task (Office price is about 5 
dollars for a pirated copy). But they've started discussing it. For 
the first time so seriously and openly.

Irina Aristarkhova

PS. This is a short extract from one of the letters to Moscow 
Microsoft head Olga Dergunova:

"Respected and Dear Olga,

My name is Sasha, I live in Mitischi (near Moscow), and I am 30 years 
old. I have never - you hear me? never - bought any licensed 
software. And I never will. Let me know if you want my passport 
number, my address, and go ahead, sue me. I'd be only happy. I have 
about 15 unlicensed Microsoft products installed on my laptop. All of 
it - pirated. I am not ashamed, and please do not tell me about 
programmers who want to eat. ... Sue me, not Ponosov. And sue another 
one million people like me. It is not about love: that we do not love 
you personally, or Bill Gates - abstractly. We love everybody. It is 
you who hate us." (translated from a full letter and a blog at 
http://forum.msk.ru/material/news/19486.html)