Microsoft anti-Google campaign
p2pnet.net news:- Microsoft is going after Google for its ‘cavalier’ approach to copyright, “accusing the internet company of exploiting books, music, films and television programmes without permission,” says the Financial Times, stating:
“Tom Rubin, associate general counsel for Microsoft, will say in a speech in New York that while authors and publishers find it hard to cover costs, ‘companies that create no content of their own, and make money solely on the back of other people’s content, are raking in billions through advertising and initial public offerings’.”
His remarks come, “as Google faces criticism and legal pressure from media companies over services allowing users to search online for books, films, television programmes and news, says the story.
Against that, Bill and the Bioyz are trying to differentiate themselves from Google by portraying themselves as, “more sympathetic to copyright holders than Google” and have, “sent a letter to executives of big media conglomerates, offering to work with them to eliminate piracy from Soapbox, a new video service on MSN,” says the FT.
However, “I keep hearing that the Conservative advertisements have backfired for many people,” says Digital Copyright Canada’s Rusell McOrmond, goonig oin:
“Other than a few legacy content industry executives who already didn’t like Google, who is this advertisement aimed at? People I speak to already think Microsoft is too extreme with their approach to protecting the interests of copyright holders over the interests of computer owners by turning the latest Microsoft operating system into a DRM (Deceptive Relationship Misinformation) platform.
“These political attacks may backfire and drive more home users away from Microsoft. Office and Windows is Microsoft’s cash cows, with Google offering an online Office and various Linux desktops replacing Windows.”
Also See:
Financial Times – Microsoft attacks Google on copyright, March 5, 2007
Digital Copyright Canada – Microsoft political “attack ads” against Google?, March 6, 2007
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