April 1, 2004 (REDMOND, WA) - Microsoft Corp. today announced that it was buying the copyrights to the popular POPFile email classification software for an undisclosed 7 figure sum.
The POPFile project has been in existence since September 2002 when it was first release as Open Source Software. Since then it has found use all over the world and been praised by publications such as USA Today, InternetWeek and New Scientist.
"I've been a POPFile user since v0.17.0", said Microsoft Chief Software Officer and Founder Bill Gates, "and it rules. Have you seen the lame filtering options in Outlook? That's all going to change when POPFile is merged into Outlook and MSN"
Microsoft will incorporate the POPFile technology in Outlook, Outlook Express and the MSN service and hopes to use it to start reshipping an improved version of Microsoft Bob that will include simple email sorting options controlled by a friendly talking Octopus.
"I gave this Open Source thing a run for its money", said POPFile creator John Graham-Cumming, "and guess what, there's no money in it after all. When Bill emailed me with the offer of cold hard cash in exchange for POPFile I was on a plane to Redmond that afternoon."
Graham-Cumming also announced the v0.21.1 will the last version of POPFile issued under the "evil, viral, communist" GPL to be replaced by a new version of POPFile released under the "patriotic" Microsoft EULA.
:-)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I am John Graham-Cumming, author of POPFile. On March 15th, 2004, all contributors to POPFile finally signed their developer agreements, giving me exclusive rights to all of POPFile's code. I am contacting you in view of the fact we will be of great assistance to each other like wise developing a cordial business relationship.
I currently have the source-code, which I intend to sell for investment purposes specifically in your country. This source-code came as a result of much hard work by myself and other contributors. The other contributors assigned their copyrights to me and lodged it with a Security Company in New York of which I am the Beneficiary. A Seattle business has agreed to purchase the code for the sum of Thirty Million United States Dollars (US$3,000,000) cash.
Right now the new civilian government have intensified their probe on my project's financial resources and they revoked our licenses that allows us to own a web-server. I have since declared myself and my family Bankruptcy. No record ever existed concerning the source-code neither the source-code traceable by the Government because there is no documentation showing that I received the copyrights from the contributors. Due to the current situation in the country and government attitude towards my family, it has become quite impossible for me to make use of this code within, and outside, since my movement is restricted by the government now. Thus I seek assistance to transfer this code out of this security company in New York through our family representative / lawyer in order to finish the selling.
WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO.
I will transfer the ownership of the copyright and CVS tree containing the source-code and to you and issue you a power of attorney through my Lawyer. With these document you will travel to New York and claim the copyright as my proxy from the Security Company. The entire operation is risk free since it is only you and me and my Lawyer that knows the details of the code. After you must have taken the code to Seattle where you will be given Thirty Million United States Dollars (US$3,000,000) cash and it is save my Lawyer will then meet you in your country to use my share of the money for investment.
Bearing in mind that your assistance is needed to transfer this code, I propose a commission of 30% (Thirty Percent) of the total sum to you for the expected
services and assistance. Your urgent response is highly needed so as to stop further contact.
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinarily confidential whatever your decision while I
await your prompt response.
Sincerely,
JOHN GRAHAM-CUMMING
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Now that its Apr-02 and it apparently turns out that Google gmail is *NOT* just a joke, wouldn't Popfile be neat if it were running at light-speed against *your* personal email database on *their* computers - assuming that there is some way to resolve the security/privacy issues.
A much better home for it than Redmond :-)
Regards ... Alec
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
April 1, 2004 (REDMOND, WA) - Microsoft Corp. today announced that it was buying the copyrights to the popular POPFile email classification software for an undisclosed 7 figure sum.
The POPFile project has been in existence since September 2002 when it was first release as Open Source Software. Since then it has found use all over the world and been praised by publications such as USA Today, InternetWeek and New Scientist.
"I've been a POPFile user since v0.17.0", said Microsoft Chief Software Officer and Founder Bill Gates, "and it rules. Have you seen the lame filtering options in Outlook? That's all going to change when POPFile is merged into Outlook and MSN"
Microsoft will incorporate the POPFile technology in Outlook, Outlook Express and the MSN service and hopes to use it to start reshipping an improved version of Microsoft Bob that will include simple email sorting options controlled by a friendly talking Octopus.
"I gave this Open Source thing a run for its money", said POPFile creator John Graham-Cumming, "and guess what, there's no money in it after all. When Bill emailed me with the offer of cold hard cash in exchange for POPFile I was on a plane to Redmond that afternoon."
Graham-Cumming also announced the v0.21.1 will the last version of POPFile issued under the "evil, viral, communist" GPL to be replaced by a new version of POPFile released under the "patriotic" Microsoft EULA.
:-)
Oh, it's all official now?
Thank god. I was getting a little nervous since I have already bought that Porsche I told you about and haven't received any money yet.
Manni
You'll need to forward a money order for $768 to John so he can afford to pay to clear the paper-work for the transfer for your share.
Regards,
Sam
DEAR MR SCHINKE SAM
THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD
JOHN
Uh oh, I don't think I got my assignment and my patch in quick enough to share in
the profits.
KINDEST ATTENTION:
I am John Graham-Cumming, author of POPFile. On March 15th, 2004, all contributors to POPFile finally signed their developer agreements, giving me exclusive rights to all of POPFile's code. I am contacting you in view of the fact we will be of great assistance to each other like wise developing a cordial business relationship.
I currently have the source-code, which I intend to sell for investment purposes specifically in your country. This source-code came as a result of much hard work by myself and other contributors. The other contributors assigned their copyrights to me and lodged it with a Security Company in New York of which I am the Beneficiary. A Seattle business has agreed to purchase the code for the sum of Thirty Million United States Dollars (US$3,000,000) cash.
Right now the new civilian government have intensified their probe on my project's financial resources and they revoked our licenses that allows us to own a web-server. I have since declared myself and my family Bankruptcy. No record ever existed concerning the source-code neither the source-code traceable by the Government because there is no documentation showing that I received the copyrights from the contributors. Due to the current situation in the country and government attitude towards my family, it has become quite impossible for me to make use of this code within, and outside, since my movement is restricted by the government now. Thus I seek assistance to transfer this code out of this security company in New York through our family representative / lawyer in order to finish the selling.
WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO.
I will transfer the ownership of the copyright and CVS tree containing the source-code and to you and issue you a power of attorney through my Lawyer. With these document you will travel to New York and claim the copyright as my proxy from the Security Company. The entire operation is risk free since it is only you and me and my Lawyer that knows the details of the code. After you must have taken the code to Seattle where you will be given Thirty Million United States Dollars (US$3,000,000) cash and it is save my Lawyer will then meet you in your country to use my share of the money for investment.
Bearing in mind that your assistance is needed to transfer this code, I propose a commission of 30% (Thirty Percent) of the total sum to you for the expected
services and assistance. Your urgent response is highly needed so as to stop further contact.
I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinarily confidential whatever your decision while I
await your prompt response.
Sincerely,
JOHN GRAHAM-CUMMING
Is anyone else getting these?
Regards,
Sam
On a daily basis. POPFile caught them all. But I was lucky and spotted one in my spam folder. Hence the Porsche.
Manni
When are they expected to buy Mozilla, BTW?
(was sick yesterday, so didn't check email until 4/2...)
Oh, *MAN* you gave me a heart attack when I saw the headline! Then of course I saw the date... :)
Good one, folks! Thanks for the laugh!!
- Al -
Now that its Apr-02 and it apparently turns out that Google gmail is *NOT* just a joke, wouldn't Popfile be neat if it were running at light-speed against *your* personal email database on *their* computers - assuming that there is some way to resolve the security/privacy issues.
A much better home for it than Redmond :-)
Regards ... Alec