Even when Microsoft Corp. attempts to do good, it seems, its critics distrust its motives.
The company is significantly increasing its donation of software to U.S. nonprofit organizations, to a level that may approach $1 billion annually in the next three to four years, according to the organization that will distribute the software. Executives at nonprofit organizations are applauding the expected increase in donations, from $207 million in estimated retail value last year.
But the increase has also drawn objections from developers of "open-source" programs (programs for which the source code is freely distributed). Those critics say they believe Microsoft is using a giveaway strategy to undercut the so-called free software movement in the potentially promising nonprofit market.
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