Auditors from the Ministry of Customs revealed that Microsoft pressurized internet cafes into purchasing around 82,000 software packages, arranged with the former management of the Chamber of Internet Cafe Owners.
The Ministry of Customs and Trade issued a report revealing a deal between the former management of the Chamber of Internet Cafe Owners and Microsoft between 2009 and 2011. During that time, the internet cafes paid $8 million to Microsoft for 82,000 software packages. In exchange for the Chamber providing details on its members to Microsoft, the latter paid the Chamber $5 from every $100 earned from installation of software packages. The software giant Microsoft was exposed as having pressured thousands of Internet cafes all around Turkey to purchase software packages following complaints from tradesmen and coffee owners.
Auditors further discovered that Microsoft had replaced software packages that included indefinite operation rights with new ones possessing limited rights. All previous licenses issued for internet cafes were deemed void and the cafes were held as using unlicensed, counterfeit software. Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Internet Cafe Owners Metin Baltağlu reported that Microsoft had raided their members together with police to create the image that they are using unlicensed products and forced new licenses to be issued. Noting that the programs were sold to the cafes for $100 each, Baltaoğlu said this was way above the average international price.
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