BSA Software Piracy Fight Smacks of RIAA Crackdown

Ron Paul Dennis Kucinich writes "A Business Software Alliance raid on musical-instrument maker Ernie Ball Inc. cost the company $90,000 in a settlement. Soon after, Microsoft sent other businesses in the region around Ball's a flyer offering discounts on software licenses, along with a reminder not to wind up like Ernie Ball. Enraged, CEO Sterling Ball vowed never to use Microsoft software again, even if 'we have to buy 10,000 abacuses.' Similar BSA raids around the country have been provoking strong reactions from put-upon business owners, echoing similar reactions to music-lovers targeted by the RIAA."

BSA Tip Line

[mastershake_phd]

Maybe the RIAA will take a page out of the BSA play book and start a tip line. I can see it now "Drop the dime on your friends, family, and coworkers and get a free Brittany Spears CD!"

Yes, he REALLY meant abacuses

[Anonymous Coward]

Come on you nerds, he said it for dramatic effect. HE IS NOT GOING TO START SLIDING FUCKING NOBS ACROSS STICKS.

So you can stop saying "no need for abacuses! try linux!"

Re:BSA Tip Line

[Anonymous Coward]

Or the other way around -- give us the name of a music pirate, or we'll flood your mailbox with Britney Spears CDs!

That should frighten anyone with ears.

Re:Authority for raids?

[Anonymous Coward]

Ever read a EULA?
I haven't, but you grant them permission in there somewhere.

Ahh!!!

[NickCatal]

Submitted by 'Ron Paul Dennis Kucinich'

Oh my god, Slashdot has become Reddit

Re:Authority for raids?

[RuBLed]

Like DMCA Title IV Section 408 [xkcd.com]?

Can we get a new icon?

[zappepcs]

something with a handgun and a foot?

Re:BSA Tip Line

[bytesex]

I don't have ears, you insensitive clod ! Maybe they could threaten to flood my inbox with those upskirts pics instead.

The REAL question is,

[BlackCobra43]

do the abacuses run Linux?

Re:Can we get a new icon?

[Rufty]

Such an icon would have limited applicability.
Anything concerning the the RIAA could still contain the "foot" part, but the "gun" would have to be large and belt fed.

Re:10,000 Abacuses?

[joebutton]

Abacuses are extremely reliable. You can always count on them.

I'm compiling Gentoo on it right now.

[DanielJosphXhan]

It's going to take about 34 years, but on the upside, I'll have very muscular fingers.