Gorbachev to Microsoft: Go easy on software pirate

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/02/05/g...eut/index.html

On one hand, this guy's guilty of using pirated copies of Microsoft's stuff, which is fairly common since Russia either has little respect for copyright laws, or doesn't enforce them very well. On the other hand, the teacher probably didn't really know any better either, considering where he lives and teaches.

What do you think? Should Microsoft let him go, and in a show of good PR, provide that school with legit copies of Windows products (after all, it always looks good when a company gives free stuff to underprivileged areas)? Or should they slam down on him hard, and make him suffer for commiting a crime? After all, a law is a law, right?

Personally, I think they should go easy on him. I honestly don't think this guy was trying to make money or anything, he just wants to provide students with computer technology, and probably didn't realize what he was doing was illegal. Again, I don't think this guy was trying to rip off Microsoft and make gobs of money from doing this, and I doubt he'd do this again in the future if they let him go now (unless he's some secret spy from the Russian mafia or something and is hiding it very well).

So, should this guy burn (or freeze, rather) in jail? Or should he be let off with a warning this time, and be forced to buy licensed copies of Windows (unless, again, Microsoft gives the school free stuff to help them out)? And why do you think?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I think Microsoft should go easy on him, but if he has the money, rather than getting seriously busted for it, he should buy the copies.

Microsoft should be providing schools with the software anyways.

There's nowhere I can't reach.