Romanian prez to Gates: Windows piracy built this country
by Evan Blass 
posted Feb 2nd 2007 at 11:46AM
Many of us have a reason to give thanks to Bill Gates, whether it be for the PowerPoint presentation that got us our last promotion, the Word spell checker that helped us avoid an embarrassing double entendre in our thesis paper, or the ol' Xbox 360 that has drained our productivity, consumed all of our free time, and driven our sweethearts into the arms of other men. But Romanian president Traian Basescu has a bigger reason than most to owe the Microsoft founder a debt of gratitude: he claims that rampant software piracy in the Eastern European nation was the single biggest factor in developing a healthy IT industry. Yes, believe it or not, a head-of-state actually stood up in public -- at a press conference to celebrate the launch of a Microsoft global technical center -- and told Gates face-to-face how illegal copies of Windows "helped the young generation discover computers...set off the development of the IT industry...[and] helped Romanians improve their creative capacity..." Indeed, nearly 70% of all software used in Romania today is pirated, according to some experts (pirates even peddle their wares to legitimate businesses, reportedly), despite the anti-piracy legislation passed some ten years ago. Amusingly, Basescu justified his countrymen's ridiculous levels of IP theft by claiming that "it was an investment in Romania's friendship with Microsoft and Bill Gates." Being the experienced political that he is, Gates chose to keep his mouth shut instead of using the president's provocative comments to launch into an anti-piracy tirade -- though we're sure that the world's richest man had to practically bite off his own tongue to do so. Still, after the press shindig -- while the two men were in private enjoying some traditional [Via The Inquirer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ciops @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:55PM
http://www.shoutfile.com/v/gSfSsCpR/Why_People_Believe_Americans_Are_Stupid
Bazza @ Feb 2nd 2007 2:01PM
You are a bastard. Your life will be riddled with sorrow. Bad luck to you and your racist soul.
tambur @ Feb 2nd 2007 4:33PM
SSBR you are one big dumb fuck idiot. If you wouldn't be so ignorant you would now that Romania has one of strongest economic growth in Europe and their currency was the strongest and most stable currency in the world in 2006 (yeah the us dollar declined nearly 25% compared to RON). Does European Union tells you anything?
....so dear SSBR i advise you to stick to your double quarter pounder cheeseburger and enjoy your way of living.
docsharp01 @ Mar 31st 2008 10:19PM
Excellent comments and article about Windows.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com
Conrad Quilty-Harper @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:16PM
Hah! The ultimate lawsuit: Microsoft vs. Romania!
o29 @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:58AM
how exactly would a spell checker help prevent double entendres?
fashionista @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:56AM
"placenta pie"?
Joseph @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:16PM
"yes! Have Some!"
Gil @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:59AM
70% of the personal consumar market uses pirated software. That is true.
But piracy index for businesses is less than 20%.
Also pirates don't "peddle" their wares in Romania. Unlike piracy in Asia almost all piracy in Romania is via the Internet and direct sharing of programs between friends.
Ashish @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:10PM
I find it quite unbelievable that a head of state would actually stand up and say such a thing. I wonder if he'll have to swallow his words and make an apology of some kind
alex @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:58PM
Make an apology? for what? I mean i know what your saying, but eastern europe doesn't work that way. And this president is KNOWN for doing things like this... he got elected cause he's like this... People in my country LOVE that about him...
I know its not gonna work in USA... but in a country where CEOs are mafiosos and got to where they are by violence and crime... you need a president who knows how to take cheapshots...
Gil @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:00PM
Also "placenta pie"? WTF are you smoking?
edgore @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:16PM
People seem to keep forgetting that ignoring international copyright has historically been the norm, not the exception. Most countries ignore international copyright when they are developing (look at Brazil) - heck, the U.S. ignored international copyrights for something like the first 75 years it was around, ripping off Charles Dickens and other bristish writer with no compensation at all.. Until a country is producing enough intellectual capital to gain from such an arrangement there is no good reason to even consider it.
August @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:31PM
Can't believe this guy just compared Dickens to Microsoft.
Bravo, sir.
Wonderboy @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:15PM
You've gotta love that he doesn't mention an increase in overall business success, but specifically mentions IT. I'm a Windows user and probably will be for many years to come, but you gotta admit it's funny that the biggest focus was on the building up of ability to fix the problems of the software that was pirated.
Christian Martin @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:16PM
In Romania, Windows pirates YOU.
blaQ @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:17PM
Roman pres. was probably hired by Jobs to do that..its not beneath Jobs.
Judd @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:16PM
Wow, agreed. That's entirely unprofessional behavior from a head of state- I'm sure an apology is forthcoming.
James Sonne @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:41PM
Bill Gates has in past interviews expressed vast indifference to piracy, as well as claiming to occasionally download MP3s and videos illegally through file share programs. I don't know where you got the idea that Bill Gates cares about someone pirating a company's software that he doesn't even work for any longer. And if you think Bill Gates cares about earning money, then think again. The vast majority of his wealth is tied up in institutions designed to give to the poor and to heal some of the world's most pernicious diseases. His will indicates that his estate will not be given to his children, but instead donated entirely to these institutions that he has helped create.
Dragos @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:42PM
it is palenta pie you dumba$$! read over your article before posting
Vlad Tepes @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:33PM
Wow, so quickly all the RIAA bashers turn against someone in the same position but different country. So, it;s ok to download music here for free, but download software in Romanian and you should burn at the stake, huh?
So, 1) statement is is just a fact, 2) SW over there can be measured in MONTHS of salary, and 3) there are so many Romanians at Microsoft that they actually hold meetings in Romanian.
Amazing how shocked we all are when a politician stands up and tells the truth, and also how much bias there is against other countries.
Gil @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:34PM
I found the video of the speech:
http://www.tvr.ro/tv/tvr1/promo/video.php?video1=269#269
Here's the video. What the prez is actually saying (the bald guy):
"I remember the early 90s when Microsoft Office was probably THE most pirated program on the Romanian market. *gates laughs*
Back then we had no laws to cover it but this program had an enourmous impact. Firstly the young generation became the friends of Bill Gates and secondly they discovered the computer and its possibilities"
That's all. Nothing to get excited about
nd4speed @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:02PM
Ohhh, that's gotta hurt (I would have loved to see the look on Bill's face). That Romanian pres has got a set of brass ones that's 4sure. I suppose that in the end Gates will have the last laugh; perhaps the next version of WGA will have some code in it to nuke the puter if you're running a pirated copy and you're IP is from Romania?
Gil @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:23PM
You can see Bill's face. See the video link I posted above
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/romanian-prez-to-gates-windows-piracy-built-this-country/comments/3300959/
aus10js86 @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:51PM
Placenta is just the Romanian word for Pie. Not that it is actually made out of a placenta.
KK @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:42PM
Mmmmmm....placenta pie.
Tamil @ Feb 2nd 2007 9:00PM
It is not only Romanian that got rich IT people because of piracy.. it is us India. Each and every home PC in our state have pirated copy(ies) of Windows OS(s) and MS Office. PC sellers are selling PCs with linux and buyers load with Windows XPs as soon as they open the box.
yessindeed @ Feb 2nd 2007 12:49PM
Romania ehas nothing on China. China should change its flag to the skull & crossbones and adopt "Dead Mans Chest" as its national anthem.
ssgtakeo @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:56PM
Why are people calling for an apology? Effectively pirated software made a market now where there wasn't one before. Bill wisely bit his tounge because he knows he could still make money in Romania.
Joe @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:04PM
The Romanian president will most likely be the first to complain when Romanian companies with copyrighted material they worked hard to build receives the same treatment. Wonder why they didn't use the so-called free Linux OS everywhere?
Carl Lumma @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:12PM
Pirated copies of Windows have been one of the biggest economic stimuli in the United States (at least up to version XP) in every industry, and especially they helped Microsoft tremendously, as Gates is well aware. While YouTube is currently facing bate-and-switch problems regarding the addition of adverts, a more devious plan would have been to include adverts from the beginning, but with a 'bug' that let users bypass them. Then later fix the bug. You could argue this was actually the case with MS Office, for example, where for years any reg. code (like 0123...) would activate the software. But legally/popularly MS left no precedent/expectation that copying the software from a friend was OK...
-Carl
Killian @ Feb 2nd 2007 6:45PM
great, now do one that's not in the middle of Texas
Nij @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:25PM
At least Engadget is willing to admit, through the way it covers stories like these, that it does not support content creators being compensated for the content they create.
Spartacus @ Feb 2nd 2007 1:46PM
Gates loses to any head of state, except maybe the US Pres. This guy could get up and call Bill Gates whatever he'd like, mock him up and down, call microsoft crap, kick Bill in the shin and walk away laughing while Gates sat there crying and still wouldn't HAVE to apologize. World leader > CotB. Really, what's the worst that Gates could do, stop selling in Romania? I mean, convert the market to 100% piracy?
diddy @ Feb 2nd 2007 2:29PM
@SSBR
you are a moron for comparing Nigeria to Romania. how freaking ignorant are you? and yes, guess u aint too smart cuzz if u were we wouldn't be "scamming" your dumb ass as u said. Nigeria aint your average country dude better recognize.
this is hilarious but which country doesnt have the pirated version of MS OS in circulation? as far as bitTorrent and the likes are still alive and kicking, Piracy reigns.
oshean @ Feb 2nd 2007 3:33PM
♫ We built this country on NT Technology ♫
game_on @ Feb 2nd 2007 4:40PM
to SSBR
fisrt u may want to learn how to spell words.. it's "accepted" smart ass..
second get familiarized with the expression "don't hate me because i'm beautiful".. with conditions like here.. u learn to make a living, jerk..
AlexA @ Feb 2nd 2007 5:31PM
That's why you have to love Basescu. He speaks out a truth even if it's politically incorrect (doesn't mean that he doesn't lie most of the time, he wouldn't be a politician, just that he's most direct than others:)).
Also it's funny you mentioned that you thank MS for Word and Powerpoint but you complain over Romania's piracy. Here's why: say you go out and buy Office for $300. You use Word to type your CV and PowerPoint to type your presentation. You get a $3000/month job. Great! Now go to Romania. Same job, only $300 a month. It's funny how you think Romanians (and Chinese, Russians, Bulgarians, etc.) should pay an entire month's salary for MS products. Would you?
And btw. I remember a time when piracy was over 90%. But then again, salaries were much lower. Get it?
prafuitu @ Feb 2nd 2007 6:11PM
So you see there's more about Romania than just corrupt politicians and hackers (not that I don't support the last ones :P ). I'm not saying we have something others don't. Just that... others think they do have something we don't! Wrong! Just like them, we have our culture, our artists, our heroes, our wonders...
Romania - Simply Surprising => http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwddXx2xf0I
Adrian @ Feb 6th 2007 9:32PM
I'm not sure what you mean, Killian, but in case you're implying that the video wasn't made in Romania, you're WRONG! I lived in Romania for most of my life and have seen most of those places. And the places I haven't seen, I know for sure are in Romania. Also, if you're interested, why don't you go see this video? http://youtube.com/watch?v=eSoruzRkj7g