Microsoft Raids in Kerala = Harthal Across Kerala

My response to JMJ's commet at KennyJacob.com followed by his comment that I commented on... confusing? just read....

By the way - I work for the Computer Manufacturing and Distribution industry - and I work with both the reseller channel and big people like Microsoft.

If you look at the average computer user - they are usually students. Most of the parents buy computers at home so that it can be used by the children. If you put together the cost of all the software - it will be more than the computers hardware itself -
XP Pro @ Rs 6500/-
Office Pro @ Rs 12000/-
Total Rs 18500/-

with 18500/- you can buy yourself a new computer!
And if you have read the EULA (end user license agreement) most of the points are ridicules!

Did you know that according to the EULA you are not supposed to install a copy of Windows or office on more that one PC at a time. Also once you have installed on one PC - the LIC limit’s you from transferring the LIC from one PC to another. If the PC dies on you - or you buy a new PC - the old LIC goes with the old PC - you are supposed to buy a new one with every new PC!

There are lot of other things as well that is really stupid - like for example - you can buy the Educational edition on Office (which is office basic in a new pack at a marked down price) but then the LIC restricts the usage of the educational product to only students and teachers for educational purpose! (What if the father of the student uses it for typing his company letter?)

I do not support the Copyrighting of Software! It is like copyrighting the wheel or the chair or the table. I like the Open Source way of doing it - the software if free - you are charged for the service.

It is to be noted that after the High Court order on hartals, there were 32 hartals in the state.

The Kerala High Court said that government should take stern action so that the public will have the confidence to go to streets and open shops without fear on hartal days. Government should give protection to the life and property of the people.

In an oral observation, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice A K Basheer expressed displeasure at the attitude of the government in not giving “due regard” to the court orders.

Microsoft India, which had patched up with channel partners in Kerala earlier is said to have extended an unsigned peace pact, to work with channels in the state. Microsoft key officials met representatives of All Kerala Computer Manufacturers and Dealers Association (AKCMADA), the Computers Dealers Association of Thiruvananthapuram (CDAT) and Malabar IT Dealers Association met and discussed the progress of an understanding which was reached during their previous discussion. A meeting was conducted on April 21-22 to discuss the stalemate.

A few dealers in the state were raided earlier last year, and it has been reported that a couple of the partners had filed counter suits against Microsoft. Some of the associations conducted a dharna against the raids. Various associations in the state had raised some of the issues faced by channels and several rounds of discussions took place between MS officials and the members of associations. At the end of the meeting an understanding was reached that Microsoft will work with channels closely and the channels will cooperate with Microsoft to grow their business.

Channel associations agreed at the end of that meeting to start working with Microsoft closely to increase the MS business out of the state, on the condition that Microsoft will stop harassing the dealer community. There was also an understanding that Microsoft and channels will review the progress of the "new understanding" on a later date, and the meeting at the beginning of this week was the first of such confidence building measures.

"We are not making any unnecessary demands with Microsoft such as lowering the rate of software. The problem of piracy is not channel or panel created. If there are a few bucks to be made, every partner will be eager to make it. However, problem of piracy lies with the users, and their demands for pirated software along with the machines," explained P K Harikrishnan, President, AKCMADA.

The Microsoft team was not available for comments, but a source from Microsoft said "Microsoft is equally eager to do business with channel partners. We want an amicable relationship, but we are faced with no choice if partners continue selling pirated software despite knowing that it is illegal. We want to work with channels to help them sell more genuine software and are doing everything possible to educate customers."

It is understood that Microsoft sales team will now diffuse the tension by helping  to close the legal cases (with some fines) against most of the partners who have been raided on a commitment that they will start selling genuine software and work with Microsoft closely. "Microsoft India has agreed that they will not use raid as a weapon to intimidate the channels partners, and try working with them in educating both partners as well as users. It must either educate or instill fear in the users who are using pirated software, and this will create a push for their products, and will help dealers sell better," said Harikrishnan.

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