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Story: Microsoft slammed over XML patent

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I am sorry to disagree, as most people don't care. Remember, if it isn't illegal, then it is allowed. Your assumption that the small effect of your boycott would cause a rethinking of your policy is laughable.

Companies like Union Carbide (now Dow Chemicals) were and are unpunished (ok, a mild slap on the wrist) for the killing of tens of thousands of people in Bhopal India. The CEO was never extradited for trial, and a token sum was given ($470 Million with an inital death count of over 8000, which is now estimated to be over 30000 and still growing.)

So, you will stop buying microsoft products, but how many M$ products do you buy per year? I am sorry, but with billions in the bank and an addicted populace willing to pay like a crack addict they are never going to feel your protest.

Boycotts work when a community can be brought together. The bus boycott worked because a populace that were the primary users of the service joined together and stopped using. Microsoft will not illicite the same response, as the community is fragmented and the decision is rarly made on a personal level. I could have decided to not ride the bus, but a cube worker cannot chose not to use windows (The sale was made when the company bought the computer).

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