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Editorial: Respect for IPR key to new economy

After Taiwan was put on the US government's Special 301 Watch List this year, the Ministry of Justice launched a major anti-piracy crackdown on May 1 aimed at eradicating intellectual property rights (IPR) violations.

Given all the slogans and talk about developing a "knowledge economy," it's a good thing that the government is taking the lead in protecting intellectual property rights. However, "anti" anti-piracy and "anti-Microsoft" protests are emerging among Taiwan's student, teachers and social activist groups. Why should they oppose the "anti-piracy" movement? Because they have no choice but to use Microsoft software even though many of them cannot afford to buy such expensive software. The government's crackdown is triggering a grassroots backlash.

Many social activists and teachers have criticized the justice ministry for acting as Microsoft's hired gun. They have also demanded that Microsoft provide commercial software free of charge. The "anti-piracy" debate now centers around one assumption -- that there is only one software company in the world, Microsoft, and without Microsoft, the computer world will come to a halt."

Microsoft's strategy has been to give away free software and then, after consumers have become accustomed to using its software, to bundle many different sets of software together and sell them at high prices. Consumers are thus forced to buy pieces software that they do not need.

But will the computer world really come to a halt without Microsoft? There are many other companies providing similar products. People in Taiwan are not alone in wanting non-Microsoft options, as seen in the growing boycott of the Windows operating system in favor of the open-code Linux system. To replace Microsoft Office, Sun Microsystems will soon roll out a Chinese-language version of its SunOffice software, while IBM also has the Lotus software. As for Web browsers, Netscape functions just as well as Microsoft's Explorer.

Microsoft's monopolistic tactics made Bill Gates the world's richest man, but his company's predatory practices are highly controversial. The US government filed and then settled an anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft, while nine US states have yet to reach a settlement with the company. Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission is also investigating Microsoft's monopoly. The PRC government has refused to buy Microsoft's software, opting instead for Linux products.

Having advocated "openness" and "pluralism" in its political and educational reforms, people in Taiwan should understand that "pluralism" means having a large variety of choices that lead to the same goal. Equating Microsoft with computers is counter to the spirit of openness and pluralism. If Microsoft is too expensive, teachers should teach their students how to look for alternative tools, instead of demanding free copies of the software. They should also be teaching their students to respect IPR.

The anti-anti-piracy groups are of the opinion that educational institutions are entitled to free "fair use." They may well have an argument, but they are going about it the wrong way. They should ask the government to set up a budget or impose an education tax and buy legal software from Microsoft at a bulk discount. An alternative would be to use cheaper software such as Linux.

Computers can run without Microsoft. IPR is essential to a knowledge-based economy. There is no such thing as a truly free lunch. The "anti-anti-piracy" movement is a small detour for Taiwan's march toward a knowledge-based economy, but it can provide the basis for full debate over the value of knowledge.
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