## Gorbachev to Bill Gates: Show software 'pirate' mercy.
OcceanDrive2
06-02-2007, 07:17
MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Monday asked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to intercede on behalf of a Russian teacher accused of using pirated software in his classroom.
In an open letter, Nobel Peace Prize winner Gorbachev said the teacher, Alexander Ponosov, from a remote village in the Urals, should be shown mercy because he did not know he was committing a crime.
"A teacher, who has dedicated his life to the education of children and who receives a modest salary that does not bear comparison with the salaries of even regular staff in your company, is threatened with detention in Siberian prison camps," read the letter, posted on the Internet site of Gorbachev's charitable foundation.
"We have great respect for the work of Microsoft's programmers ... and are in no way casting doubt on the principle of punishment for intellectual property violations.
"However, in this case we ask you to show mercy and withdraw your complaint against Alexander Ponosov," the letter read.
Sources: http://www.gorby.ru http://cnn.com
my2cents: me wonders.. what is the price tag for a MS office CD in Russia. ?
Andaras Prime
06-02-2007, 08:15
US statement: Piracy= Communism!!!1111shift
Lunatic Goofballs
06-02-2007, 08:18
I didn't realize that Bill Gates had so much influence with the russian criminal justice system. Kinda creepy, isn't it? :eek:
Show no mercy, burn him at the stake!!
poor bill gates he's likley to starve with all these people ripping him off
Free Soviets
06-02-2007, 08:42
"Gorbachev: Commie After All"
Show no mercy, burn him at the stake!!
poor bill gates he's likley to starve with all these people ripping him off
Only about four of the ten richest people in the world work for his company. One of them will buy him lunch.
Farflorin
06-02-2007, 15:16
If I'm not mistaken, the request comes because of Microsoft's actions.
What can Bill Gates do? It's not like the Russian government has any real respect for the law anyways...
Risottia
06-02-2007, 18:47
What can Bill Gates do? It's not like the Russian government has any real respect for the law anyways...
It has. For buck$.
Poor Rus', how low hast thou fallen.
Risottia
06-02-2007, 18:49
"Gorbachev: Commie After All"
So we can still like him.
Da. In Soviet computers, CDs burn YOU!
It has. For buck$. Poor Rus', how low hast thou fallen.
Yeah, it's been that way since Brezhnev. The last good leader of the USSR really was Khrushchev, at least in regard to competence and honesty in government. Maybe Andropov, but he also died after two years in office so he didn't have a chance to do anything to begin with. So, they had a total of about 11 years of good rule, from 1953-1964.
(Gorbachev too, but since he technically also destroyed the USSR, he doesn't quite fulfill the role of a good leader)
German Nightmare
06-02-2007, 20:10
So we can still like him.
Da. In Soviet computers, CDs burn YOU!
Quoted just for kicks!
Besides, my country and people are indebted to Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev for his part in the German reunification, so naturally, I really like that guy.
It'd be nice to see that maybe Mr. Bill Gates would pick up the bill for that software and make it legal.
Soleichunn
07-02-2007, 19:17
Well, I'm waiting (though not wanting) for the moment that Gorbachev decides to complain about the way the government is taking the country (massive corruption, badly made foreign deals and growing civilian medical problems). Then 'mysteriously' he'll be found with some polonium in his trachea.
Hopefully the russian government won't top him off if that happens.
OcceanDrive2
07-02-2007, 20:18
Then 'mysteriously' he'll be found with some polonium in his trachea.Komerade Gorbachev your ass has been Mossae'd!!! :D
Soleichunn
07-02-2007, 20:25
Even with the suspicious death of that Iranian scientist I have to say that Russia has the 'death by really obscure radioactive material' to a point.
Unless..... Russia supplies toxic radioactive materials around the world!
It does make sense, all that spare nuclear warhead (RadOn/PolOn, apply directly to the victim!) material?
EVEN BETTER! The U.S and Russia are in cahoots to give nuclear material to other people for the hell of it! I know mutating mushrooms given to Somalia will have something to do with it.
That was the official request. This was the actual one:
Gorbachev:"So Mr Gates you will let this teacher off."
Gates: "Actually he needs to be taug..."
Gorbachev:"He will be let off or Mother Russia will rise and crush your Capitalist soul!"
Gates: "There was no crime....in fact Microsoft doesn't exist. Please don't hurt me...."
And that children is how the world will become controlled by Mother Russia.
Soleichunn
15-02-2007, 09:12
Hooray for Gorbachev!