Microsoft 'may legalize' illegal Windows for $1<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
U.S. software giant Microsoft Corp. is considering legalizing
\npirated Windows systems already installed on government computers
\nhere as part of a planned amnesty on software pirating before
\nIndonesia cracks down on the illegal trade.<\/p>\n
Minister of Information and Communication Sofyan Djalil said
\non Wednesday the amnesty would allow the government to pay US$1
\nfor each computer that had an illegal version of Microsoft's
\nWindows operating system installed.<\/p>\n
"Microsoft will certify the already-installed illegal
\nsoftware. But in the future, all government computers must have
\nlegal software produced by the company," he said.<\/p>\n
The company's proposal follows up the recent meeting between
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Microsoft chairman and
\nfounder Bill Gates at the company's headquarters in Seattle.<\/p>\n
However, legalizing pirated software would take some time as
\nthe government must register all desktop computers in its offices
\nnationwide, estimated to total more than 50,000 PCs.<\/p>\n
"Microsoft is being realistic. They can't force developing
\ncountries like us to solely use legal software, since we can't
\nafford it. They want us to gradually reduce our use of it,"
\nSofyan said.<\/p>\n
He said Microsoft was happy to provide developing countries
\nwith an amnesty as long as it was assured the company was
\ncommitted to upholding intellectual property rights by cracking
\ndown on producers and distributors of pirated software.<\/p>\n
A study by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) revealed that
\nIndonesia ranked fifth in global software piracy after Vietnam,
\nUkraine, China and Zimbabwe two years running in 2003 and 2004.
\nWith 87 percent of software on the market estimated to be copied,
\nsales of legal software here last year accounted for only US$27.3
\nmillion, compared to a potential market of about $210 million.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, State Minister for Research and Technology
\nKusmayanto Kadiman said the government would also negotiate with
\nMicrosoft on the time period for the amnesty as well as other
\nrequirements.<\/p>\n
"We will propose that the amnesty lasts for a one-year period.
\nFrom 2007, we will promise there will be no more pirated
\nMicrosoft software in local markets or institutions," he said.<\/p>\n
The government will soon focus on its efforts to encourage
\ngovernment offices, businesses and schools and universities to
\nuse legal Windows software.<\/p>\n
Kusmayanto said during the Seattle visit, Gates had said the
\ncompany was interested in setting up its fifth research center in
\nIndonesia -- after the U.S., UK, China and India -- that would
\naim to make affordable Windows applications for developing
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
By making its package more affordable, Microsoft hoped to
\ngradually reduce software piracy Indonesia and neighboring
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Kusmayanto said the government "would support the company to
\nrealize the plan".<\/p>\n
However, before Microsoft decided to invest here, the company
\nwould first review the country's grand design for the information
\ntechnology industry that was currently being prepared by the
\ngovernment, he said.<\/p>\n
For its research station, the government planned to provide
\nMicrosoft with some 300 hectares of land equipped with sufficient
\nbroadband and telecommunications facilities, clean water and a
\ndependable electricity supply, Kusmayanto said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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