In a stunning announcement that must have had Billy Gates gnashing his teeth, the Romanian President, Traian Basescu, proudly informed the Microsoft boss that pirated software helped Romania's fledging I.T industry blossom into a burgeoning sector.

Pirated software, the President said, had helped young Romanians hone their talent that is now recognised around the world. Indeed, 70 per cent of the software currently used in Romania is thought to be pirated. Ahoy, me maties, as the President might say.

That's a million extra copies of Windows and Office you missed out on, William!

Read more at The Washington Post.

Hands up - or not as the case may be - if you use illegal software.

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