Microsoft to turn cracked Windows legal for $1?

Microsoft is in discussion with the Indonesian government on how to tackle the rampant use of cracked Windows.

Indonesia, the fifth worst country for software piracy according to the BSA, could be let off lightly. According to a report in the Jakarta Post, Microsoft is offering the government an amnesty of $1 per pirated copy of Windows and a promise from the administration it will buy legally.

Indonesia's information and communication minister Sofyan Djalil reportedly told the paper: "Microsoft will certify the already-installed illegal software but in the future, all government computers must have legal software produced by the company."

Djalil continuted: "Microsoft is being realistic. They can't force developing countries like us to solely use legal software, since we can't afford it. They want us to gradually reduce our use of it."

The government has promised to be completely legal by 2007, the report said.

A spokeswoman for Microsoft UK refused to be drawn on whether the software giant was prepared to 'legalise' the cracked software for $1 each. "We will continue to engage and work with the government of Indonesia," she said.

However, according to a report in the Seattle Times, a US spokeswoman denied that the company had any "amnesty-style government licensing programmes" planned for Indonesia.