Cuba to drop Microsoft
p2pnet.net News:- Cuba will abandon its use of Microsoft Windows for state computers in favour of open source.
“Roberto del Puerto, director of the state office of information technology, says Cuba already has about 1,500 computers using the Linux system,” says Agence France Press, quoting Juventud Rebelde.
Del Puerto said his office was working on a legal framework that would allow the replacement of the Windows system, says the story.
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Agence France Press - Cuba to switch computers to Linux, dumping Windows, May 17, 2005
May 19th, 2005 at 4:39 am
Just how does Cuba get ahold of software from a US company when the country has been under a US-imposed trade embargo for 40+ years? Microsoft cannot legally sell Windows to Cuba – or even give it to them for free.
But since the USA is openly violating Cuba’s trademarks and copyrights – officially sanctioning the sale of counterfeit Cohiba cigars within the 50 states and US territories – Cuba might as well retaliate and engage in their own version of copyright infringement, and install ‘pirate’ copies of Windows and other software, since Cubans cannot legally purchase any US products anyway.
Since they have nothing to lose (short of a US military invasion), Cuba would be the ideal place to establish a P2P sanctuary – their ISPs could safely ignore all the DMCA and C&D notices.
May 20th, 2005 at 1:56 pm
Cuba probably get their M$ products via Canada or Mexico, the same way that Americans can go to Cuba on the sly.
Either that or Fidel is big on hanging out on Warez Sites to get M$ keygens and free XXX-porn passwords.
May 20th, 2005 at 4:00 pm
Fidel Castro and his revolution is an illegal government. He took power by force and stole privately owned property including the famous cigars you mention. He has no legal right to make demands regarding property confiscated following his illegal take over of Cuba. Please educate yourself before discussing Cuba. Your comments hurt Cubans. Indeed Castro violates the embargo because he knows how to get away with it and blames the US for everything. Please wake up!