Gorbachev seeks mercy for teacher accused of software piracy
ComputerWorld | at | by Mike
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev today asked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to intercede on behalf of a Russian teacher accused of using pirated software in his classroom.
"A teacher, who has dedicated his life to the education of children and who receives a modest salary that does not bear comparison with the salaries of even regular staff in your company, is threatened with detention in Siberian prison camps," read the letter, posted on the Internet site of Gorbachev's charitable foundation www.gorby.ru, which is written in Russian.
"We have great respect for the work of Microsoft's programmers ... and are in no way casting doubt on the principle of punishment for intellectual property violations.
"However, in this case we ask you to show mercy and withdraw your complaint against Alexander Ponosov," the letter read. "This noble step will be enthusiastically received by all those in Russia who use Microsoft products."