Microsoft Glasnost Fail

Russian police forces are cracking down on vocal, anti-government groups and organizations, often using legally questionable tactics.  Nothing new here, right?  But, what is interesting is who is involved in these raids – Microsoft.

This article in The New York Times, outlines the questionable tactics police are using to seize computers from environmental and other dissident groups.  Police are claiming they are searching for illegal Microsoft software and charging copyright infringement violations.  Even if they groups are in full compliance, it still takes months to get their equipment back and by that time, the legal fees are ruinous.   

Microsoft lawyers in Russia are reported to have initiated the claims on the urging of the various police forces.  Microsoft representatives in Redmond deny any illegal or wrongful activities in Russia.

Read the full article here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/world/europe/12raids.html?_r=2