<img style="float: right" src="http://www.iexbeta.com/images/news/logos/iexMicrosoft.png">Microsoft has been mailing free copies of its pricey Office productivity software to government employees, but CNET News.com has learned that at least two federal agencies are warning recipients to return the gifts or risk violating federal ethics policies.

Since the launch of Office 2003 last year, Microsoft has given out tens of thousands of free copies of its flagship software, which retails for about $500, to workers at its biggest customers. The giveaway was expanded to government workers this year, but ethics offices at the Department of the Interior and Department of Defense have said the offers constitute unauthorized gifts and must be returned.

The Department of the Army went a step further, calling on Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to stop sending the software to Army personnel.

"We ask that you cease immediately the mailing of free software, and other types of gifts, to the Department of the Army personnel," Deputy General Counsel Matt Reres said in a Feb. 19 letter seen by CNET News.com. "Your offer of free software places our employees and soldiers in jeopardy of unknowingly committing a violation of the ethics rules and regulations to which they have taken an oath to uphold."

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News source: CNET News.com

and there goes Microsoft agen....

There goes MS what?

They are giving out free software to their biggest customers indiscriminately

I highly doubt they had any idea that the military would view it in this way.

So more likely there goes jonfr making an ass out of himself again with his preteen linux obsession

Having been in public service, it's not wise to take and keep a "gift". It's considered a bribe, MS knew what they were doing, and the employees that kept the software knew as well. I always had to turn down free coffee from places all the time.

everyone on my CS course has suddenly become obsessed with linux..... they've even started pronouncing it correctly...... i'm prolly gonna be next!

finally, i found a distro compiled for AMD64 (fedora) - might install it sometime.

I fully agree with you. They think its a bribe.

I wish MS would bribe me some.

Can i help to speed the progress up?

do u knock on ppl's doors with flyers asking if they found god?

Linus's Witnesses?

No, i told god to get lost....as for windows, it is going to kill it self one day... - It did suck to much...

And don't try to start this into anyother stupid flame war....

PLEASE explain how Windows will kill itself when just about everybody is using it and it will stay that way for a bit

when linux becomes easy to use (and i mean easy to use - your PARENTS can use it), then it will whup windows's arse. but right now, it's like, a total arse to install, configure, and use.

exactly.. especially with the hardware incompatibilities (not many drivers) and lack of software..

let me comment on that by this ->

Linux is EASY! You just don't want to see it.

Actually the distro I'm using has EVERY SINGLE ONE of my drivers... even Windows XP doesn't have that. but umm.... yo jonfr you think you could help me on Linux a little? I'm havin' some troubles.

and let me comment on THAT with this: BULLSHIT

you tried installing linux with ATi cards? a 64bit build? every time i've installed linux it goes tits up on me and i'm left with a fucked up POS. i'm gonna try again with fedora; if that borks up then i just won't bother again for a few years.

Actually I have an ATI radeon.... linux works fine... although the 64 bit thing, I dunno about.

I've been using Fedora for a while now, I love it, it's my distro of choice.

I know that ATI supports is crap and that is ATI fault. Nvidia works great in linux.

really, it's ATi's fault..... so the lack of standards in the ever changing world of graphics within linux has NOTHING to do with it....... ok how about YOU program a driver and then tell us all how bloody easy it is to make it error free...

ATI know that they did make an bad driver...

I received a free copy of Microsoft Office 2003 suit and Microsoft One note, I love them both.
Thanks Microsoft.