Arrested for piracy?

[PaulBunyon]

I wonder if you have ever heard of someone being arrested in a western country for using an illegal copy of windows? I've heard of people going to court over music p2p but never over computer software. Usually it's only company to company court cases over programming scripts used illegally. Most of the developing world is using all sorts of illegal software and little is done about it. Actually, I've never heard of anything done to anyone in the US either. Why is the attention more on entertainment and media verses computer software? Any thoughts on this?

Personally, over time I have purchased legal versions of windows so I don't worry about things. I don't have the issues faced by some using illegal software. Despite being legal, I often question whether there is really any reason to buy legal software when the local authorities in Thailand and abroad as well as the companies which made the software seem to be apathy to the whole issue.

[harrybarracuda]

They tend to go after either the companies who pirate many licenses or individuals who are providing pirated or grey market software, as that's where they get the most returns.

The music industry is different, they can't afford to prosecute everyone who downloads free music or movies, so they tend to find those who are serial offenders and then try and make it a high profile court win - $1,000 fine per song, etc.

Thailand does have a branch of the BSA (Business Software Alliance):

BSA Thailand

And they run around conducting raids on the software shops and on companies from time to time, but they don't really have the resources to make a big impact.

The US Government tend to put on more pressure with threats of trade sanctions, etc.

[PaulBunyon]

I'd bet that the staff of BSA probably have pirated goods in their homes. I hope they don't pay them anything because they certainly arenn't doing their job in Thailand.