Microsoft Fighting The Drug Cartel...... Software Piracy Cartel???

I was just reading the New York Times Sunday money section, and I stumbled on a story that was on a raid in Mexico. Apparently the same organizations that are responsible for drugs and the like have found a new operation to diversify their revenue streams.

They pirate software.


Go figure.

Apparently these guys burn, brand - co-brand, package, and sell pirated software and other digital goods such as video games. A lot of their inventory is apparently X-Box and Microsoft software such as Office.

They are very successful with distribution operations that rival real retailers. They move their product via street vendors and kiosks around the world.

I had no idea it was such an elaborate operation but apparently it is.

Bill Gates and the rest of the Microsoft people seem to be all over it are throwing quite a bit of money to finance efforts to squash this thing.

I can't say I blame them.