What is the Deal with M$? Seems like I am on some spam list to recieve the latest and greatest list of who Micro$oft is tring to sue. I DO NOT condone software piracy in any way but give me a brake, I don't care. There motto has changed to "Who do you want to sue today" This is the type of messages I get from them...

Microsoft continues to work towards levelling the playing field for honest
> system builders. Throughout the United States, approximately 1 in 4
> business software programs in pirated. In Florida, the BSA estimates that
> the rate of pirated software could be as high as 30% in the retail
> channel. As a result of continued investigations and efforts to stop
> piracy, Microsoft has filed complaints against two Florida based System
> Builders for the alleged distribution of counterfeit product.
>
> Choice Distributors, Inc. (also against Robert J. Provost)
> United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida,
> Case No. 00-2852-CIV-GRAHAM
>
> Pentagon Information Systems, Corp. (also against Susana T. Marenzi
> and Jose L. Piedra)
> United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida,
> Case No.00-2926-CIV-MIDDLEBROOKS
>
> To protect your customers from purchasing pirated software and to protect
> your business from procuring or selling pirated product, take action
> immediately:
>
> 1. Acquire product from authorized distributors. When you work
> with a Microsoft
> OEM Distributor, you receive high-quality products and deliver them
> to your customers without all the problems of counterfeit software:
> missing drivers, missing documentation, potential business and financial
> consequences. If you are acquiring product from companies other than the
> 12 Authorized OEM Product Distributors, you run the risk of acquiring
> counterfeit product and passing along unlicensed software to your
> customers. Obtain the most up-to date OEM Distributor listing at:
> <http://www.microsoft.com/oem/main.htm>
>
>
> 2. Sell new PCs with preloaded system software. New PCs sold
> without preinstalled
> operating systems are useless until customers install system
> software themselves. Are you confident in your customers' expertise to
> pre-load the operating system? Are you willing to absorb the cost of a
> return when software is not properly loaded? By selling PCs with
> preloaded operating systems, you can avoid exposing customers and your own
> organization to the technical problems and financial consequences
> associated with deploying naked systems. System builder members can refer
> to the licensing tool at: <http://oem.microsoft.com/namerica/504550.asp>.
>
>
> 3. Understand and explain licensing options to your customers.
> Desk-Top operating systems can only be acquired bundled with a new PC or
> as a full package retail product. A new computer with a desktop operating
> system should include a Certificate of Authenticity. The original invoice
> and the COA attached to the computer chassis should be retained as proof
> of licensing. Licenses cannot be sold, transferred or removed from the
> particular computer to which they are assigned. Select, Open and retail
> programs offer upgrades only to existing desktop operating system
> licenses. For a copy of the OEM quick reference guide, email
> [email protected]. To assist customers with software compliancy,
> recommend self-audits by using tools at
> http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/samguide
>
> 4. Know the warning signs and report pirated product. The warning
> signs and general guidelines to Microsoft's product security features
> including hologram and COA technologies can be found at
> http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell. If you come across product
> that you think may be illegal due to irregular security features,
> incorrect channel packaging or suspiciously low pricing, send an email to
> [email protected] or call 1-800-RU Legit.
>
>
> 5. Use the AP Business Desk. If you are about to lose a large
> ($20,000+) bid to a reseller or system builder that is offering
> suspiciously low pricing on Microsoft software, send an e-mail with full
> details, including your name and number, to [email protected]
> <maimailto:[email protected]>, with a cc: to [email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>. Microsoft will take steps to ensure that
> your confidentiality is preserved.
>
> Anti-piracy Resources:
> System Builder Membership:
>
> www.bsa.org <http://www.bsa.org>
> <http://www.microsoft.com/oem/>
> http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell
>
SORRY FOR THE LONG POST,

Scotty please get back in, you are killing us by not updating. Lets buy Windrivers.com back