Microsoft Considers Pulling Out of China

icefaerie writes to let us know that a senior executive for Microsoft has said the firm could pull out of non-democratic countries such as China. From the article: "Fred Tipson, senior policy counsel for the computer giant, said concerns over the repressive regime might force it to reconsider its business in China. 'Things are getting bad... and perhaps we have to look again at our presence there,' he told a conference in Athens."

Ethics

[Kell Bengal]

When Microsoft leads the way in business ethics ahead of a company with a motto of "Don't be evil", I know it's time ot look for aerial pork.

Pulling out?

[Lurker2288]

Microsoft, when will you learn? Pulling out is NOT a reliable precaution. It's almost as bad as counting business cycles.

Won't happen

[nnnneedles]

Everyone who thinks this won't happen, mod me up.

Thank you.

Re:Shareholders

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's hear their opinion. And why stop there? What about other countries who support terrorism, for instance. Are they going to relocate to Canada?

Why would you want to relocate countries who support terrorism to Canada? What did we ever do to you? Don't you like our bacon??? Ey, ey??

Re:PR Stunt

[Anonymous Coward]

Where did that $ sign in "$1billion+ people" come from? :-)

Re:Shareholders

[Digital Vomit]

And why stop there? What about other countries who support terrorism, for instance. Are they going to relocate to Canada?

NOOO--, I mean, I don't think that's a good idea. Don't you remember how Canada was an entry point for the 9/11 terrorists? We-- I mean, those Canucks can't be trusted. Microsoft should not move here!

I mean, "there"!

Re:Victory!

[Rik Sweeney]

China will never take over the world.

It's only really used by the upper class or people who'd like to think they're upper class. Most people just use the regular material that plates and cups are made out of (whatever that it). Some even use paper to avoid having to wash up at the end of their meal.

A warning to the Chinease People

[Anonymous Coward]

AMEN to the parent poster, and I would also now like to take a moment to tell a bit of Truth to the Chinease people. There are a LOT of us on the western world who believe the Word of God and know what it says about Chinease, as well as Japanese, africans and others as well. There is a DAY that is coming where all Chinease will get what is coming to them, you may mock us if you wish but all true Americans know that this is what will happen in the end, we know this because we still hold true to the morals of the man who died on the cross to protect the American way of life.

This much I know, soon comes the day that the seventh seal opens and the trumpet sounds, and all will acknowledge on bended knee that Christ is King. And that will be the END of the CHINEASE PEOPLE.

Re:correction

[ozmanjusri]

When he gets back to Redmond he'll be in deep shit.

Precisely.

Microsoft's pulling out of the biggest potential market in the world because of piracy, like I'd be pulling out of Natalie Portman because she farts in bed.

Re:All democratic companies should pull out

[Aceticon]

I vote that all US companies move out of any countries that hold prisioners for an indefinite period without a right to a fair trial, practice torture and/or bug their citizens phones without court orders .... oh wait...

could pull out of non-democratic countries

[smchris]

Oh, great. More jobs going overseas.

[This time next week we can only hope to see how wrong that statement is.]

Re:correction

[Simon]

s/non-democratic countries/countries where piracy is rampant/

That's a bit harsh don't you think? After all China has taken great strides to help reduce the use of illegal software. The Chinese government is even sponsoring development of a Chinese linux distribution, Red Flag Linux [wikipedia.org]. I'm surprised that Microsoft isn't applauding and encouraging these anti-piracy efforts. Think of all of the millions of dollars Microsoft will no longer lose each year to the pirates. ;-)

--
Simon

Re:The real reason

[freeze128]

And think of all the applications that would be made available on Linux. Sweet!

Yeah, but the documentation would SUCK!

Re:Won't happen

[mark-t]

That, sir, may just qualify as the most unabashedly shameless example of karma whoring I have ever been party to witness here or any other place that uses similar moderation processes. Were there a plaque or trophy for such an accomplishment you would certainly receive my vote for recieving it. Well done!

Re:Pulling out?

[nacturation]

Everyone knows that pulling out is unsafe. That's why you're supposed to use condoms instead.

There were several other jokes in this discussion that one or two people may not get. Can you explain those as well? Thanks!
 

Re:correction

[Entropy]

Microsoft's pulling out of the biggest potential market in the world because of piracy, like I'd be pulling out of Natalie Portman because she farts in bed.

The difference is, you haven't fucked Natalie Portman, whereas Microsoft has fucked China.

Re:The real reason

[drinkypoo]

And think of all the applications that would be made available on Linux. Sweet!

Yeah, but the documentation would SUCK!

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