01.30.08
Lying by Proxy: Another Powerful Microsoft Strategy
A leaked set of Microsoft memos, sometimes referred to as “evangelism is war”, reveals Microsoft’s intent to use analysts, consultants and grassroots support to serve as mouthpieces. The habit carries on to this date [1, 2, 3, 4].
Such damning evidence is just one among many such antirtrust exhibits that were presented in Iowa where Microsoft quickly settled to avoid conviction. While the following story has little or nothing to do with Novell and patent deals, you may wish to be aware of Microsoft’s use of the BSA as a propaganda tool. Essentially, the BSA another mouthpiece, not just a policeman.
A recent Associated Press story highlighted the fact that 90 percent of the $13 million collected by the BSA in 2006 came from small businesses. Since 1993 the group has collected an estimated $89 million in damages from businesses on behalf of its members, every penny of which it keeps. ‘I don’t know of a business where you can get away with raiding a customer with armed marshals and expect them to continue to do business with you…’ said [Sterling] Ball, who shifted his company to open source software after the raid.
This interesting story came just shortly after this report, which is of course a form of propaganda whose purpose is to grease up lawmakers. Mind the use of words like “pirates” and “steal” to describe copyright infringement. It’s about demonisation.
Software pirates put sizeable dent in UK economy
[…]
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) claimed today in its annual “Global Software Piracy Study” – which was carried out by analyst firm IDC – that a reduction in counterfeit software by ten per cent over four years could add an extra £4.46bn to Blighty’s economy.
Remember IDC? Yes, it’s a Microsoft ‘pal’ [1, 2], whose moneyflow includes that of Bill Gates. He is apparently a big investor, so the occasional anti-Free software messages are hardly surprising. Many more links covering the BSA-Microsoft situation/arrangement are here. The MPAA was caught engaging in similar tricks just weeks ago, but that’s another story. The pay-to-say industry is of great relevance to this site because it still strives to convince people that the Novell-Microsoft deal was a good idea. █
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.