Microsoft Anti-Piracy Goons Screw Up (German University Pirating 'Microsoft' Open Office)

University of Muenster ^ | 2/26/03 | Christian Schild

[ContentiousObjector]

From: "Copyright Europe"
To: "Abuse"
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 5:51 PM
Subject: [NOC] Case ID 588853 - Notice of Claimed Infringement

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Westfaelische Wilhelms - Universitaet Roentgenstr. 9-13 Muenster, D-48149 DE DE

RE: Unauthorized Distribution of the following copyrighted computer program(s):

Microsoft Office

Dear Sir/Madam:

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has determined that the connection listed below, which appears to be using an Internet account under your control, is operating an FTP server to offer unlicensed copies or is engaged in other unauthorized activities relating to copyrighted computer programs published by the BSA's member companies.

Infringement Details:
------------------------------
First Found: 24 Nov 2002 15:31:40 EST (GMT -500)
Last Found: 24 Feb 2003 01:19:59 EST (GMT -500)
IP Address: 128.176.191.21
IP Port: 21
Protocol: FTP
FTP Login Name: anonymous
FTP Login Password: guest@nowhere.com

What was located as infringing content:
------------------------------ Filename: /mandrake_current/SRPMS/OpenOffice.org-1.0.1-9mdk.src.rpm
(199,643kb)
Filename: /mandrake_current/i586/Mandrake/RPMS/OpenOffice.org-libs-1.0.1-9mdk.i586.rpm (35,444kb)

The above computer program(s) is/are being made available for copying, through downloading, at the above location without authorization from the copyright owner(s).

Based upon BSA's representation of the copyright owners in anti-piracy matters, we have a good faith belief that none of the materials or activities listed above have been authorized by the rightholders, their agents, or the law. BSA represents that the information in this notification is accurate and states, under penalty of perjury, that it is authorized to act in this matter on behalf of the copyright owners listed above.

We hereby give notice of these activities to you and request that you take expeditious action to remove or disable access to the materials described above, and thereby prevent the illegal reproduction and distribution of pirated software via your company's network. As you know, illegal on-line activities can result in 50 million people on the Internet accessing and downloading a copyrighted product worldwide without authorization - a highly damaging activity for the copyright holder. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please advise us regarding what actions you take.

Please include the following CaseID in any response you send: Case ID 588853

Yours sincerely,

Corinna Beck
Business Software Alliance
1150 18th St NW Suite 700
Washington,DC 20036
http://www.bsa.org
E-mail: copyright-europe@bsa.org

The guy who recieved this notice posted this to the discussion list

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

as I don't know a better email contact, I'm writing this to you. If you are not a good contact for belows issues, please reply or forward accordingly.

We just got accused by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) of offering piracy software, namely OpenOffice-1.0.1. We (University of Muenster, Germany) run an IPv6-FTP-Server that mirrors a lot of stuff, including the Mandrake linux distribution. Part of this distribution are the two 'offending' rpm-files below.

Is the BSA serious? As far as I know, OpenOffice has a GPL and is free for usage _and_ free for download. So I basically don't understand what BSA's accusations are based on. If you look closer to the mail below, my best guess is, that BSA scripts ran amok and detected OpenOffice as MS-Office, because it contains the string "Office". Has Microsoft a copyright for "Office" now?

Generally I would have leaned back and said 'Nice joke, adjust your scripts', but as we are accused officially, I'm doing some research before I reply. Anyway, I think it's also important for you OpenOffice-Guys to know, that obviously someone is trying to remove your product from FTP-Servers.

Regards,
Christian Schild

[ContentiousObjector]

Ahh, gotta love the BSA.

I really wish I could post some of the correspondence between me and my employer and the BSA, dealing with the BSA is like getting a traffic ticket from a cop who doesn't know the speed limit

[Dimensio]

dealing with the BSA is like getting a traffic ticket from a cop who doesn't know the speed limit

I disagree. I believe that dealing with the BSA is like being given a traffic ticket by a civillian who has no law enforcement authority who wasn't even watching you speed but instead demanded that you purchase expensive radar equipment to guage your own speed.

[Rifleman]

It would have to be embarissing to step on your crank THAT publicly.

[PAR35]

Here's a site where you can download OpenOffice

http://www.openoffice.org/

[Avenger21]

I work with the BSA and I find this offensive

[Avenger21]

How do you spell sandwich?

[ustf2dan]

I think Avenger21 is lying. Jail everyone who screws with Bill Gates!

[Avenger21]

Bill Gates is also my father!

[ustf2dan]

you lier. Jail Avenger 21

[Avenger21]

But seriously with all the stuff against Microsoft right now i'm sure they can handle a little thing like this

[ustf2dan]

Yah....especialy with their million dollar paid lawyers!

[Avenger21]

It's no only that it is also the company's impact on society

[Avenger21]

Who here likes Kazaa?

[xm177e2]

I don't use it, and I hate the popups/spyware associated with those kinds of software, but if it's hurting the RIAA it can't be all bad!

[PAR35]

Thanks for the laugh.

[Justa]

"I work with the BSA and I find this offensive."

I use Open Office and I am outraged by your offense.

[once upon a time]

[Publius6961]

I disagree. I believe that dealing with the BSA is like being given a traffic ticket by a civillian who

Try receiving a threat of arrest warrant for a parking ticket for a car I know was never in the city 500 miles away, and finding yourself in the position of proving that it was never there?
Happened to me. I finally just said come and get me.