Microsoft undertakes series of initiatives to reduce software piracy
October 21st, 2008 | by admin |Aimed at reducing software piracy in India, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. On Tuesday announced a series of education and enforcement initiatives under the aegis of 慓lobal Anti-Piracy Awareness Day? a simultaneous launch of local and international programs to combat the sophisticated trade of pirated and counterfeit software through education initiatives and enforcement actions in 49 countries on six continents.
Microsoft India has launched a channel education and awareness initiative in collaboration with various the Channel Associations in India. The objective of this collaboration is to broaden the understanding of the dangers surrounding software piracy to the resellers to protect the interest of the consumers. The company is already partnering with Computer Association of Eastern India, Kolkata(COMPASS) and North East Computer Traders Association, Guwahati(NECTA) to educate members on the pitfalls and risks of piracy and spread the Value of Original Software. In addition, it has sent education letters to over three thousand channel resellers across the country to drive greater understanding for the Value of Original Software.
Microsoft is also investing significantly to ensure that end customers can easily access original Microsoft software and is working closely with Organized Retail Stores including Croma, Reliance Digital and Vijay Sales. Additionally, the company has launched an e-commerce platform http://www.buyoriginalms.com/ to enable customers across 52 Indian cities and towns to buy Microsoft software including Windows, Office, Xbox, games and gaming accessories as well as server products.
On the enforcement front, Microsoft has taken 15 civil enforcement actions against resellers indulging in hard-disk loading case involving Microsoft products such as Windows and MS Office. The actions were primarily based out of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Patna. On the criminal enforcement front, Microsoft along with other software companies, busted a hard core software piracy racket in the city of Bangalore with the assistance of City Crime Branch and recovered pirated software worth 20 lakhs. The persons arrested (three) were involved in the rampant piracy and were offering home delivery service to the consumers.
揝oftware piracy and counterfeiting is a sophisticated, global trade and Microsoft is committed to working with industry partners in India and around the world to stay a step ahead of this criminal industry,?said Mr. Vipul Sant, Director ?Original Software Initiative, Microsoft India. He further added, 揝ustained industry efforts have helped reduce software piracy in India by four percentage points in as many years and we are committed to continuing on this path and working closely…
