Microsoft admits they benefit from piracy too!

A Microsoft executive, Jeff Raikes, admits that piracy is actually helping Microsoft maintain the lead in the business. He points that piracy is inevitable and though they want to crack down on people pirating their softwares, they’d rather lose to some pirates than direct competitors.

Raikes adds that users of pirated MS softwares are more likely to buy another Microsoft product later on. Make sense actually. People used to pirating these softwares become so familiar with it that they’ll more likely to recommend its use or buy the same later on. Software familiarity gives the opportunity of a head start for Microsoft.

So, the next time you drop by Quiapo and see someone picking up a pirated copy of Windows Vista, tell them they’re making Microsoft happy they did instead of downloading a free copy of Ubuntu.

{source: Techdirt}

Related posts:

1. Software Piracy and Computer Literacy
2. Microsoft ready to nuke pirated versions of Windows?
3. Adobe on Piracy: Humoring It Online
4. Microsoft Loves You with Vista and Office 2007
5. Google in cahoots with Microsoft