Peter;

A recent statement from Microsoft taken out of context but it could apply to just about anything – “…we will vigorously prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who tries to modify their system for the purpose of violating our partners' intellectual property or that of Microsoft's."

I agree with Walter and how he perceives doing business. Your intent is to promote the product you are using as a developer. You are innocent and doing nothing that I see as illegal. However, what follows is a known fact. My numbers are not up to date so please forgive me but you should get my message.

First the question: Why is the business community in the United States frequently involved in legal litigation and law suits? This is from a local, national and international perspective. The answer is that there are 750,000 lawyers in the world (as of a few years ago.) Half of all attorneys in the world live in the United States. About 50% of them are involved in the automobile industry in one way or another – most due to car accidents. The remaining 50% have to earn a living so will take up any case for any reason. This is a fact and reality.

Imagine having an attorney in each family in the United States. One family member would sue another member for any reason that they are willing to pay his/her family member who is an attorney. Mother my milk is too warm so I am suing you. Father I do not want to cut the grass so I am suing you. We have had children sue his/her mothers and fathers for divorce and other “legal” (as defined by law) matters. Many times the children have won.

If you have a large number of doctors per capita you will have health care available to the masses and should enjoy a better state of health in your community. Now what do you obtain when you have a large number of attorneys per capita? :)

So you see – the United States not only uses the greatest amount of fossil fuel in the world we also have more attorneys than any other country. Now we must not burn attorneys as that might reduce their number but it would add to air polution and global warming! :)


Tom


>>[...]
>>Yes, you are correct about laws being different in various countries. If you are really interested in this matter you might try contacting Microsoft directly with a specific request. Do not wait for Microsoft to contact you.
>
>If those MS attorneys are as quick and eager with their responses as the developers we sometimes ask for help, then I see no problem. :)
>
>By the way, coincidentally I typed in http://www.billgates.com (for I hoped that would be the place where I could complain about some riched32.dll problem I currently encounter). Nice site! :)