USA Today tells the story¹ of a small business owner who, after being slapped with a hefty fine for using illegal copies of Microsoft software, decided to go completely free in his office.

To date, he believes he saved himself $80,000 by doing so. The row with Microsoft began when 8 copies of unlicensed Microsoft software were found amongst his 80 Microsoft-based computers. He was then made an example of by Microsoft, including using a news clipping from their win over his small company in a letter sent to other businesses in his area encouraging upgrades as a great way to keep out of their hands.