This has *got* to be the most hilarious backfire *ever*!

As you must have probably heard, Microsoft has commissioned Parikrama to write a song on an emergency basis, to be pubicised and performed during the Microsoft-hijacked MAIT event on the 9th of December at Bangalore Palace, in the august presence of Sir Bill Gates. You can read the lyrics of the song here – notice the line “Opens all the windows, as he shuts the door”.

Well, it didn’t take long for people to figure out what’s going on. In a recent discussion on the FOSS.IN/2005 Mailing List, Phenom‘s LB/2002 version of “Linux Can!” was discussed, and of course the song was downloaded a gadzillion times.

When news of the Microsoft song “leaked” (yeah, right!), people showed that they had figured out the connection – today alone, “Linux Can!” has been downloaded dozens of times, but more importantly, Phenom’s own album Unbound has seen a massive increase in downloads – in fact so many times that it has eclipsed all previous daily download figures! Talk about voting with your feet.

Phenom will be performing an updated version of “Linux Can!” at FOSS.IN/2005 – be there to cheer them on! And when the Parikrama/Microsoft song comes out on the 9th, be sure to compare that with this song (and of course the other Phenom songs).

And for hardnosed Phenom fans – Phenom told me this evening that they are ready with their new material and can begin recording now – but more importantly they are going to perform some of the new songs at the gig on the 2nd!

In 2002, MS attempted to buy themselves a country for $400 Million, and failed.

Think they can buy it now, for a song?