Open source protester crashes Bill Gates speech at Chinese university

BEIJING -- A protester calling for free computer software and open source programming crashed a speech Friday by Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates at one of China's top universities.

		AP
	An unidentified demonstrator flashes a sign reading "Free software, Open source" as he rushes across the stage following a speech by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates -- standing in the middle of teh group at the rear -- in Beijing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

Gates, who is very popular on Chinese campuses, had just finished a speech at Beijing University and was handing out prizes to students when a man walked on stage and unveiled a banner with "free software, open source" written on it.

Gates and most of the group appeared shocked at the intrusion, which ended when the man ran off the stage and was tackled by security officials. No one was hurt.

Gates is in China to check on Microsoft's growing operations and take part in several business forums.

Backers of open source say that users should be allowed to view and edit software code, including Microsoft's.

According to Sohu.com, the protester was taken away by police for questioning.