It would appear that much of the posturing is ill-informed.
It seems that the case "was initiated and investigated by the public prosecutor’s office in Russia". According to MS, anyway
So this is all in accordance with Russian Law.
So why then does Mr. Putin say:
“To grab someone for buying a computer somewhere and start threatening him with prison is complete nonsense, simply ridiculous."
Either he is ignorant of the law in his own country or of the facts of the case - or both, or else he simply wishes to embarrass MS and / or the Capitalist West.
But he goes on to say that:
"The law recognizes the concept of someone who purchased the product in good faith.”
Well in that case WTF is all the fuss about? The saintly teacher will get off scot free, and the Russians can go on about their business of stealing software that they "can't afford".
That is just like the untaxed, uninsured and non-MOTed cars on Britains roads (2.15 million), whose owners - if caught - claim that they can't afford those niceties. Well walk, my son!
I think this is simply manipulating the circumstances to try to force MS to lower its prices.
SD