A court has fined Russian headmaster Alexander Ponosov 5,000 roubles (or $194.40) or half his monthly wage, for allowing pupils to use 12 computers with unlicensed copies of Microsoft Windows and Office software at his school. Ponosov, a headmaster in a remote school in the Perm region of the Ural mountains, did not pay the fine, saying he did not know the computers had fake licenses when they were delivered by a sub-contractor: "I consider myself not guilty and I will file an appeal. Someone is defending corporate interests, someone is interested in not finding me innocent as they think that if I am found innocent then others will think they can get away with breaching intellectual property rights."
Putin has described the case as "utter nonsense" and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev even asked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to intercede on the teacher's behalf. In February a local court threw out the case because it considered the losses to Microsoft to be insignificant but Ponosov appealed as he said he had not been found innocent. Prosecutors also appealed and the case was sent back to court. The judge found Ponosov had brought losses of 266,000 roubles on Microsoft.
The world's biggest software maker emphasized that it was the Russian authorities who started the proceedings: "Our interest is not in prosecuting schools or teachers, it is in helping students develop the technology skills they need in the 21st century. Mr. Ponosov's case was initiated by Russian authorities under Russian law. Microsoft neither initiated nor has any plans to bring any action against Mr. Ponosov."
News source: Reuters
Putin has described the case as "utter nonsense" and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev even asked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to intercede on the teacher's behalf. In February a local court threw out the case because it considered the losses to Microsoft to be insignificant but Ponosov appealed as he said he had not been found innocent. Prosecutors also appealed and the case was sent back to court. The judge found Ponosov had brought losses of 266,000 roubles on Microsoft.
The world's biggest software maker emphasized that it was the Russian authorities who started the proceedings: "Our interest is not in prosecuting schools or teachers, it is in helping students develop the technology skills they need in the 21st century. Mr. Ponosov's case was initiated by Russian authorities under Russian law. Microsoft neither initiated nor has any plans to bring any action against Mr. Ponosov."
News source: Reuters
The sub-contractor excuse doesn't hold water in my book. Its too easy to point the finger and say "I didn't know." Well, too bad. If more cases like this are public then people will start demanding that their sub contractors prove the validity of what they are selling.
This story is about Russia. They want WTO. It's imperative for their existence. A case like this, one that gets major press - negative or otherwise - is the way Russia is trying to get the attention of the WTO in order to "prove" that they are cracking down on intellectual property rights violations.
As I have said before, Microsoft does not go after the individual. There is no upside to doing so. And Microsoft is only a small cog in the massive wheel that is pressuring Russia to get onboard against rampant piracy.
Someone caught using a pirate software is not enough evidence if that person says that i did not know it then this needs to be argued and needs more evidence seeking.
I thought the whole idea of cutting piracy is to go after the pirateers that sell the apps.
I am sure you will find Sir Bill Gates paying the fine and also supplying the school with maybe 50 new computers, office software, windows software and a big loving hug.
Last edited by leesmithg on 07 May 2007 - 19:17
I wonder what prize you have in mind for those who commit other crimes.
I wonder what prize you have in mind for those who commit other crimes.
It was a sarcastic comment
GoodGreat PR.Also, you cannot call Gates "sir" because he isnt a British citizen.
Am I understanding this correctly... That works out to be only $4,665.60 per year??? Teachers around the area where I live make at least $30,000 per year. I use to go to a high school where the teachers made $60,000 up to $100,000 per year.
That is really messed up if it is true.
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