Romania built on pirated Microsoft, thanks Bill says President

Stan Beer
Monday, 05 February 2007 04:07

Opinion and Analysis

In what must have been a side-splitting moment for open source advocates and an equally embarrassing one for Bill Gates, The President of Romania has effectively praised Microsoft software piracy in a public meeting between the two men.

According to a Reuters report, President Traian Basescu last week told Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates that pirated Microsoft software had helped Romania build its IT industry.

At a time when Microsoft has implemented tough anti-piracy measures such as its Windows Genuine Advantage program and sponsors organizations such as the BSA (Business Software Alliance) to bust companies suspected of using pirated software, President Basescu's words must have been anathema to Gates.

However, Gates, who was at the Bucharest meeting for the opening of a Microsoft technical center, was reportedly forced to grin, bear it and keep his mouth shut.

Like many emerging economies in both Eastern Europe and Asia, Romania is undergoing an IT led economic renaiscance. In the joint news conference with Gates, President Basescu indicated in no uncertain terms that the development of Romania's IT industry was originally spurred on by the still rampant piracy among the younger generations.

Although software piracy is now officially illegal in Romania, President Basescu's speech to the media provided an indication of the true state of affairs in a country where pirated software is still sold openly.