China’s Answer to Software Piracy

Microsoft’s worries about software piracy are finally over.  The Chinese authorities have acted.  It’s called “problem solving with Chinese characteristics.”  The solution comes in a package called Red Flag Linux, a home-grown operating system which does most of the things Windows XP does.  But this is only half of the solution.  The other half comes with rigorous enforcement and a price tag of 5,000 RMB (about U.S. $726).  It’s a rip off (a new, legitimate copy of Windows XP costs around 910 RMB in China).  We all know that.  But it seems some Internet cafes in China will not have a choice.