Pirated Software at potential new client

[codegreen]

Tell him to go legit, or you go home. As you say, his whole IT setup is in shambles, and it sounds like unlicensed software is only the tip of the iceberg. People who try to do the cheapest thing possible often end up in this kind of situation. If you try to work on things as-is, things will go badly.

You might want to show him news stories of previous Microsoft software raids. Small business owners often think they are below the notice of Microsoft. All it takes is one disgruntled employee (or ex-employee) to call in a tip.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Same reply I put on a similar post earlier...
*Make a documented proposal to this client to "make things legit". Keep a copy for yourself.
*You can often make the project quite affordable. Sometimes the client isn't aware...for example...we recently took on a client from a competitor that pirated this software to them, naturally charging full MSRP. Of course this client was totally unaware. Perhaps the client is a non-profit...and you can get legit licenses to them for pennies on the dollar through techsoup or through your Microsoft licensing rep. Those license reps will sometimes cut a deal to "legitimize" a client that needs it.
*Replacing computers over time can do this.

If client agrees to make things legit over time...stay with 'em. Sometimes a client says "I don't care"...I'd turn 'n walk. If they're cheap this way...they'll be cheap other ways. I've culled our client list to be mostly all good clients...I don't need a cheap client to add to my already fairly packed schedule and be a headache.

I am pretty sure that is true about a registered partner having to report stuff like this. I for one would not want to muddy our good long standing relationship with Microsoft being caught as the IT guy caring for a network of bootleg MS software. Our companies name is too important to us.

 

[Markverhyden]

As the others have said. Your "friend" needs to go legit. Personally I will not work with someone who has pirated software and does not want to do anything about it.

But business is business. Tell him you are going to put together some proposals for him to evaluate and he has to sign off on a plan to be brought up to snuff.

Obviously paying for everything up front could be prohibitive. So a monthly buying program might do well. You make it clear if he stops buying you stop supporting.

To be honest he should be able to just purchase the license keys for what each machine has installed and then just apply them. MS has tools for that purpose.

 

[AndyM]

Yep. Agree with everyone else here!

I had a client (and a friend) who did the same to me

Him: "Hey Andy, I have these workstations that I want you to look after. They don't have legit copies of Windows or Office!"
Me: "No problems. We will have to get you sorted out with the licensing and bring you up to speed."
Him: "But who will know?"
Me: "I will, and I am not going to risk my company for the sake of a few licenses. I do NOT do dodgy deals! This is MY reputation you want to put on the line!"
Him: "OK. We will get the licenses sorted out."

It's about having respect for you! If he doesn't and you take on his business, then you may soon have to change the title of this thread to:

Pirated Software - How A Friend Lost Me My Business

Andy

 

[brandonkick]

To be honest, I'd walk away from this and let him know why your walking away.


Your hands are in stolen goods when working on these machines, and you do know before hand that they are stolen. Just because they are intangible doesn't make it any less illegal then stealing anything else. These machines sound older to me, since many of them are running XP PRO. Perhaps you can work out a deal to replace all of these workstations with business grade machines? Sometimes you can get very good deals through dell on business grade desktops.

If his machines have COA's on them, then why not place the original operating system back on them and perhaps resell them to help fund the cost of the upgrade? If many of them are similar machines (or at least similar operating systems on the COAS) then you can use a deployment enviornment to deploy windows images to them at the same time.

He may be a good friend, but is it worth the risk of losing your business? If this were me, they either need to fly straight or hit the highway. Losing a little money on this "new client" is a much better deal then losing your business.

 

[Rosco]

run for the hills on this one. if it is a friend run even further. This is how you ruin a friendship. I would not touch this will a ten foot pole.

This is a nightmare waiting to happen. Just my 2 cents. especially if he is a cheap skate. They always ask the most out of you. They will not be happy even if you were to pay them to work on it!

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

4. You can move him to Ubuntu

This is a great idea if you want to support your friend and hold his hand for every little question. If you are a Linux pro and can walk someone through some simple tasks, then maybe this is the route to go. If you are someone that can barely install Linux and a few applications, but are not familiar or comfortable with applications that need cli customization, then this can be a nightmare.

I am an advocate of people using open source, but sometimes they have to come to learn some basics on their own to be able to accept some kind of complete switch from MS products.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Same reply I put on a similar post earlier...
*Make a documented proposal to this client to "make things legit". Keep a copy for yourself.
*You can often make the project quite affordable. Sometimes the client isn't aware...for example...we recently took on a client from a competitor that pirated this software to them, naturally charging full MSRP. Of course this client was totally unaware. Perhaps the client is a non-profit...and you can get legit licenses to them for pennies on the dollar through techsoup or through your Microsoft licensing rep. Those license reps will sometimes cut a deal to "legitimize" a client that needs it.
*Replacing computers over time can do this.

If client agrees to make things legit over time...stay with 'em. Sometimes a client says "I don't care"...I'd turn 'n walk. If they're cheap this way...they'll be cheap other ways. I've culled our client list to be mostly all good clients...I don't need a cheap client to add to my already fairly packed schedule and be a headache.

I am pretty sure that is true about a registered partner having to report stuff like this. I for one would not want to muddy our good long standing relationship with Microsoft being caught as the IT guy caring for a network of bootleg MS software. Our companies name is too important to us.

I like this idea.

 

[NETWizz]

Do NOT get involved regardless of what others say unless this *friend* agrees to go 100% legit right immediately and you get that in writing! Do NOT inventory his systems to see what he has that needs to be legit (you loose plausible deniability) because that alone gets you involved in that you must legally A) Risk your business or B) Report him...

It is totally, unacceptable to slowly, over-time buy licences and become legit... If he has 10 illegal copies of Windows and buys 2 legal copies, you ARE still guilty of supporting 8 illegal copies.

DO NOT DRAFT A BECOME LEGIT OVERTIME AGREEMENT with your friend. It is NOT your software he is stealing, so you cannot contract with him to delay becoming legit only Microsoft can contract this way with him.!

Linux will NOT work in most office environments... Not a bad suggestion, but it won't likely satisfy your friend, so don't even go there unless he is simply running web kiosks in his business and all he needs is something to boot a web browser. This might work for a warehouse that runs a web app with a USB bar-code scanner or something, but it will not work when they have their core business apps (Windows Apps) they need to run... Yes, I know about WINE etc., but even if it works he won't be satisfied.


There is no such thing as plausible deniability at this point anyway because you know, your friend knows, your friend knows you know, you told us, we know, we know you know, we know your friend knows, we know your friend knows you know ...

Personally, I do not turn people into the BSA, Microsoft, or anyone else, but I do NOT get involved.


Legally, you are generally not required to report most *misdemeanor level* crimes, but get involved and you become guilty, too i.e. See someone painting graffiti on a wall, you really probably cannot be charged with not calling the police..., but when you start mixing his paint, creating stencils, and cleaning his brushes, you become a guilty accessory!

 

[SAG]

... you know, your friend knows, your friend knows you know, you told us, we know, we know you know, we know your friend knows, we know your friend knows you know ...