Microsofts NEW Differential Pricing Policy Is Unfair !

Microsoft slashed the price on its Windows Vista operating system in China by more than half, in a bid to lure buyers away from pirated versions of the software.

The price cut is the latest tactic by Microsoft in its efforts to spread legitimate products in the China market, which is a hotbed for software piracy.

It is my opinion that the factor for to be considered for following a Differential Pricing Policy should not be the incidence of High Piracy in any Country, BUT the Affordibility in that country; else it will only be tantamount to encouraging piracy, indirectly ! Such a step can only be construed as being a 'reward' for high piracy!

However, adopting such a policy for countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America too, on the BASIS OF AFFORDABILITY, would send out signals in the right direction !

source : www.winvistaclub.com

 

Big deal. You can get close to similar prices here, if you know how to shop for it. You should correct your article. Home Basic does not cost 200 bucks in North America. Try 150, and thats retail. Considerably less for OEM.

 

Do you think this is unfair as well?

Lenovo to sell $199 PC in rural China

There is nothing wrong with attempting to make the world a better place by making technology affordable for them. You try working at their wages and affording American prices.

 

you can get Basic here for 135Euros

Vista Full 350 Euros

and maybe if you look around i could probably find it cheaper I.E internet shopping.

http://bestsmileys.com/computer1/15.gif

 

"Microsoft Corp slashed the price on its Windows Vista operating system in China by more than half..."
Vista Home Basic package to CNY499 ($66) from CNY1,521,
Vista Home Premium package to CNY899 from CNY1802
SOURCE : http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200708022342DOWJONESDJONLINE001192_FORTUNE5.htm

Making technology affordable is required ! But the reasoning or justification for DIFFERENTIAL PRICING should be, NOT because PIRACY is high ! But on the basis of AFFORDIBILITY in each country; as each country has its own standard of living !

While a Vista could cost, say, a days wage in a developed country, it could cost a months wage in developing countries !

That is the essence of my post, pity u guys missed it

 

I didnt miss a thing.

I understand what you are saying, but you also missed what i was saying. It doesnt matter what you think is fair, in another country. Piracy is huge in places where people cannot AFFORD the software. Which do you think MS makes more on, a pirated verion of 'insert software', OR, 66 bucks for Windows? Most pirating is because of people who can't afford it. Not everyone is an asshat trying to screw over software devs. Do you feel that Microsoft should lose more money due to you thinking its not fair? Businesses hinge their decisions around what makes them money, THEN what the consumers want. Its not the other way around.

 

Hehe, if I was American, I'd rather come up here. Somewhat off-topic, the free laptops the Nigerian kids got are being used to grab porn, go figure.rolleyes

 

DANG it Timmie, do you have to give away ALL my "Secrets"LOLLOL

Back to the "Topic" Differential Pricing in and of it's self is discriminatory under most nations laws. That said when in a tank of "Sharks" its best to look like a "Shark". Knowing the "Anti-MS" feelings out there I'm betting some Lawyer picks this up and runs with it.

The whole "Piracy" issue has never been successfully addressed since Edison invented "Home Recordings" on cylinders, its always been an industry against the End Issuer issue, with both sides making valid points. Fifty years later the same debate continues, and probable will for another fifty.