Microsoft and Consumers Take Action Against Global Software Piracy
Initiatives to protect consumers launched in 70+ countries on "Consumer Action Day" - two Canadian lawsuits launched based on consumer reports
REDMOND, WA,
Microsoft Corporation has launched two civil lawsuits against Canadian system builders in
"Nearly half of Canadian consumers are concerned about mistakenly purchasing counterfeit toys, video games and software online this holiday season(i). Counterfeit products defraud and can endanger consumers, steal revenue from legitimate Canadian business, and cost our economy millions of dollars a year," said
To address the increasing sophistication of software counterfeiters, Microsoft is enhancing its anti-piracy work on all three fronts: education, engineering and enforcement. Today's actions around the world emphasize the company's growing commitment to protect consumers. Tips from customers and technology partners are vital in helping Microsoft address piracy.
Canadian small business owner Shawn Pelling said he purchased Microsoft Office software through a vendor he'd not used before: "I was looking for software for my business, and wanted to save us some money. After a few weeks of using the software, it turned out that we had been sold a high quality counterfeit package. I appreciate Microsoft stepping up and helping address this issue."
On the engineering front, Microsoft has improved the product activation and validation process with Windows(R) 7. Windows Activation Technologies in Windows 7 are built on the Software Protection Platform introduced with Windows Vista. This enables Windows to protect itself by detecting when attempts have been made to circumvent or tamper with built-in product activation technology. It also helps customers more easily activate the product and resolve potential issues. Windows 7 includes the latest generation of this technology, so users will see more informative notification messages and be able to more easily complete the steps in the process.
The software industry has long studied the black market for pirated software and its effects on consumers. One seminal study by IDC in 2006(ii) showed that one in four Web sites offering counterfeit software attempted to install unwanted or malicious code upon downloading. This rate is rising, as found by Media Surveillance, an anti-piracy solutions company based in
"The global problem of counterfeit software calls for an international response and a strategy which targets sophisticated crime syndicates taking advantage of unwary consumers," said Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General, World Customs Organization. "Through vigilance and active feedback to public institutions and companies like Microsoft, consumers and businesses will be instrumental in overcoming this problem. The serious economic consequences generated by this illicit trade make it imperative that we urgently pool our efforts, strengths and expertise to fight this crime."
Microsoft encourages anyone who receives suspicious software to call the company's anti-piracy hotline at 1-800-R-U-LEGIT (785-3448). More information about genuine Microsoft products, licensing and labels is available at http://www.howtotell.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
---------------------- (i) The online poll of 1,740 adult Canadians was conducted in November 2009 by The Strategic Counsel (ii) The Risks of Obtaining and Using Pirated Software, IDC White Paper sponsored by Microsoft, Doc No. WP1006GRO, October 2006
For further information: For further information: John Clute, (416) 644-2267, [email protected]
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