Microsoft ramps up antipiracy efforts with 52 lawsuits

Microsoft has filed 52 lawsuits against alleged software pirates.

The software giant, which has led an active campaign against counterfeit copies of its software over the years, announced Tuesday that it filed cases against resellers in countries that ranged from China to the Netherlands to the United Kingdom and United States.

Microsoft noted that in 15 of the 52 cases, the software involved could allegedly be traced to a massive commercial counterfeit syndicate that Chinese authorities and the FBI broke up this summer. Most of the alleged illicit sales were conducted through e-commerce sites.

Counterfeit copies of their digital goods cost members of the worldwide software industry an estimated $40 billion annually, according to Microsoft. The tech titan also cited a study conducted by the Business Software Alliance and market researcher IDC that put the global PC software piracy rate at 35 percent last year.

Redmond also unveiled a "Microsoft Buying Guide" on eBay as a tool for educating consumers about counterfeit applications. In addition, it maintains an information site with tips on how to detect pirated software.

Through users' tips, Microsoft said, it also gleaned enough information to refer 22 criminal cases to various law enforcement agencies around the world.

[Lee in San Diego]

What is OEM?

I see a lot of spam for really cheap Adobe, MicroSoft, and other software. I am going to go out on a limb, if not a "plank", and say <br />that those programs were pirated. :)<br /><br />I wish these spammers would partner up with the cheap drug and <br />fake Rolex people, and send out just one email offering all of those <br />products. It would cut my spam deleting tasks by 60%

[chrisfrary]

Oem

Original Equipment Manufacture, basically means that it comes with the computer you bought and is not to be used elsewhere. It is mostly cheaper than retail. <br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer#Computers" target="_newWindow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer#Computers</a>

[blsith]

Best way to stop piracy? Price!

I know this isn't the answer to all woes, but I truly think the software industry has lost it's mind over the years. It used to be that when genuine competition arose, the one with the best value won. Value could be features, price, performance.. but seldom worry for being sued.<br /><br />I honestly think that for every 10% Microsoft lowered the price of their OS, especially Vista, they would see an increase in take rate. There's a point where this balances out, where the take rate increase would not be more than the revenue gained. <br /><br />It works for the airline industry, the hotel industry, and other consumer industries in the world. There's a price point where folks aren't willing to adopt the new technology. Dell doesn't pay $200 a copy for windows - they get it much cheaper to make the package deal. They don't even pay the $129 you can buy OEM versions from licensed dealers for. Price the software accordingly, and I think piracy at home would drop significantly.

[SunShah]

you are absolutely right

price of software is equal to few months salary in some countries.

[Llib Setag]

Microsith does not tolerate piracy!

...from other companies that is.<br /><br />That's THEIR JOB to steal software from other companies &#38; try to put them out of business.<br /><br />oooooooooooooooooooooh SNAP!

[FutureGuy]

really

go sue them then, don't have the balls? else quit wining.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Protect your property

I don't know that many people would actively take the stand of defending copyright theft, intellectual proprety theft, counterfeiting, or criminal activity. <br /><br />Protecting your property is important. I don't see this as any different than any other company going after pirated / counterfeit goods.

[dtype]

Leopard for $129, iWork for $79

Just the usual reminder than one alternative to pirating <br />overpriced applications from a stagnant vendor is to simply <br />choose alternatives.<br /><br />Leopard costs $129 (with a great "family pack" offer for $199/5 <br />machines), and iWork is quite usable at $79, although I have to <br />admit having bought Office 2004 for my Mac due to needs at <br />work.<br /><br />Free alternatives exist as well. I guess we'll just have to wait for <br />the market to bear things out. Ultimately I'd hope that a <br />competitive market will end up in a range of good choices for <br />the consumer.

[Seaspray0]

I can beat that

or...<br /><br />Downgrade vista to xp: free<br />linux: free<br /><br />And these will work on the hardware of my choice.

[Zanny_Blowzsteve]

LeoTARD for$129, IWjerk for $79

BUT, that's Apple crapware software made to run on... overpriced Apple Crapware Hardware.<br /><br />Get a clue. 95% of the computing world could care less about Apple. <br /><br />If this crap is so great , how come the only way they can get anyone to buy it is TO OFFER WINDOWS COMPATABILITY, or Boot camp as a way to actually run Windows on it. Go Drink your RDF KoolAid &#38; shut up.

[ppgreat]

Fewer lawsuits, better programming

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml;jsess" target="_newWindow">http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml;jsess</a><br />ionid=SDNRXRVAFFF4GQSNDLPSKH0CJUNN2JVN?<br />articleID=204801084<br /><br />How about working on application support, for example? You've <br />only had a year!

[The_happy_switcher]

people actually pirate MS products?

I guess 'nothing' is the right price for MS crap.

[Seaspray0]

It must be in demand

Yes, people pirate microsoft software. If it wasn't for the pirates, it would cost half as much. A question I ask is why pirate it when operating systems like linux are free? It tells me that people want to use windows.

[cary1]

Here's why....

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/07/freetards-in-deep-denial.html" target="_newWindow">http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/07/freetards-in-deep-denial.html</a><br /><br />Go ahead... read it!

[Travis Ernst]

Gate$ ¢ompany

The headline is almost humor. You can go to almost any FTP <br />site and spot MS programs. College sites have them posted and <br />kids can DL them (or John Q Public if you know where to look).<br /><br />I thought the fact that Vista piracy was down was funny. It <br />showed the quality of the program by the LACK of piracy.<br /><br />What really annoyed me about MS was when I had to upgrade <br />my OS, my registered Office (came with the system) would not <br />work on the new OS. MS wanted close to $300 for the same <br />version (not newer) to run on the new OS. That got my goat. I <br />owned it now they want me to buy it again!!! Thats why people <br />get upset with this company.<br /><br />They better have good relations with China. The pirate market is <br />HUGE over there for all softwares.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Right on brother!

It's incredibly greedy of those companies to require people to have to buy updated versions of their products on the newest systems. There is simply no excuse for it at all.<br /><br />Can you believe it? I had to buy a NEW stereo for my 2004 S10 Chevy pickup because the old radio I had in my 1969 Chevy pickup woudln't fit! That's simply greed and no two ways about it. I bought both trucks and that radio from 1969 *should* work on the 2004 vehicle! There's no excuse for this at all. <br /><br />It's a conspiracy! And it's all the Illuminati's fault!<br /><br />Or.... people could grow up, quit living in the past and deal with the issue instead of whining about it. If you pirate software, it's simple theft. It's illegal and you are a criminal.

[Gunady]

OEM

Since you mention that your Office came with the system, it must be OEM. OEM Version is sold with a cheaper price, but it can only be used in your machine. That's the agreement, lower price but one machine, and I think it's fair, and it's good that there's option for us, to buy full version or OEM. However, customer just has to understand what they buy.

[sanenazok]

hardee har har

Microsoft (or as you would put it Mi¢ro$oft or some other kiddie crap) is going to go after people who sell pirated copies. How's that funny? Also, no company enjoying 95%+ of the worldwide market for ANYTHING worthwhile would be able to stop MOST imitators. In the software world that means any company making something useful will have to deal with pirates.<br /><br />What really annoys me is people who make up BS stories. Take you, for example. Really, you "HAD" to upgrade your OS? I've never "had" to do something like that. EVER. Who was forcing you, the sitter? The bit about Office is also complete BS. So you couldn't use the OEM version on a new install, cry me a river!<br /><br />By the way, I've done this about half a dozen times since Office 2000 started activation: install new version of Windows (usually clean install) I would then install the Office that came from the manufacturer. When activation comes up and possibly fails, call Microsoft and explain it. It couldn't be easier, but it involves speaking to people so that might be a problem for some.

[fokwp]

Cost of software piracy

Pirating MS software may result in $40B losses in a year - but not to Microsoft. The loss is to Microsoft's competitors who can't compete against MS's free (oops, I mean "pirated") software while MS successfully licenses its OS in monopolistic deals to huge corporations and computer vendors.<br /><br />Let's hope MS starts truly enforcing its licenses. Then we'll see what people choose for their OS and productivity suites.

[The_Decider]

it doesn't

MS whines that a pirated copy equals a lost sale.<br /><br />They would have a rough time showing that 100,000 pirated copies is equal to a lost sale.<br /><br />It is just more hyperbole, hypocrisy and just plain BS from an inept company.

[Microsoft_Facts]

Pirating MS products should not be illegal.

MS is a convicted monopolist that hasn't paid a price for the harm it has caused society with shoddy products, illegal business tactics, etc. I do not condone software piracy except for Microsoft products, I don't think they have any right to complain. They created the monopoly, then complain when they have high piracy rates? I've managed to work in IT for 20 years and never spent a dime on a Microsoft product, but for those forced to use it because "My app only works on..." or "My job/school says I can't use Open Office" as a result of MS's monopolistic practices, hang on a minute while I grab a blank CD...

[Vegaman_Dan]

Poster endorses criminal activity?

You are actively promoting the theft of property? You are asking people to commit crimes?<br /><br />I'm rather surprised at that stand. Would your employer be pleased to know that you are actively endorsing criminal activity? That you are telling people to go out and steal from others?<br /><br />I wonder what they would say about that... perhaps other readers here can promote the theft of your car, your personal information, your bank records, and your hair comb. You don't have any right to keep it, do you? Because if you are promoting people to steal, then they should be allowed to steal from you too. <br /><br />Go ahead- leave your keys in your car, roll down the windows and leave it running out on the street. Put a sign on it, "Please steal this car." And if someone does take you up on the offer, remember that you can't complain about it- you actively endorse criminal activity.

[The_Decider]

Don't forget

Microsoft used to encourage and facilitate piracy when it suited their needs. <br /><br />Now they cry about it.<br /><br />The one thing MS does really well is hypocrisy.<br /><br />Most people understand this, except for the few remaining MS fanboys. i.e. Vegetable Head.