Million for the head of a pirate

    Meanwhile, as disputes continue about whether the actions of pirates really hitting the big software companies, for free “planting” millions of users on their software, the official policy of the business software unifying industry giants, the Business Software Alliance , still promises that severe punishment awaits everyone who tarnished his biography with piracy.

    Of course, the times are not the same, and the Alliance does not threaten to hang pirates in the river, as fighters for business security in the 17th century liked to do it. But other working methods have survived to this day with virtually no change. For example, one of the most effective: paying rewards to vigilant citizens who grabbed attackers by the hand. In order to prevent the loss of billions of dollars (BSA claims that last year its members lost $ 7.3 billion in profit), software companies are prepared to pay really a lot. This week, it was decided to increase the maximum award five times, up to $ 1 million. This news should be brought to the public by advertising on all media channels.

    Although getting this tidy sum will not be easy at all. To do this, you (if of course you were interested in the role of a mercenary) need to find a very inveterate lawbreaker who stole software for more than $ 15 million, and you will receive money only after he pays this amount in favor of the BSA. But you can limit yourself to catching smaller payers: for returning to the industry $ 15,000- $ 100,000 will be given to you up to $ 5,000; $ 100,000- $ 200,000 - $ 10,000; and a decent Porshe will only be able to earn for $ 2,000,000.

    Answering journalists' questions at the presentation of this fit of generosity, BSA representatives revealed the amount that they managed to get from the pirates since 2005, when the reward system began to work (although on a much more modest scale). It amounted to $ 22 million, that is, thousandths of a percent of losses claimed by the Alliance. Based on these figures, even the most violent activity can be called ostentatious for averting eyes, and if a five-fold increase in the award does not cause at least an order of magnitude greater return, I will probably call it that. Although I will be glad to argue on this issue.

    via Ars Technica

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