Microsoft's lawyers have swooped on four rogue computer dealers in Pretoria, who were selling fake software to unsuspecting consumers.
All of the dealers were visited after undercover test purchases revealed the shops were selling new PCs loaded with pirated Microsoft software, either at a full or discounted price. Three of the resellers in question have signed formal civil settlement agreements with Microsoft.
Microsoft's Channel Compliance Manager, Wesley Lewis, said the actions formed part of an ongoing series of crackdowns on rogue resellers to protect honest consumers and resellers.
“The real victims of software piracy are the unsuspecting consumers who purchase these goods expecting a quality product. They very often don't realise they have bought illegal software until they have to validate it online or they experience functionality issues,” he said. “When purchasing a PC with preinstalled Microsoft Windows software, one of the first things that customers should be confirming is that they have a Certificate of Authority (COA) label on the PC or, for some newer laptops, inside the battery compartment.”
Lewis said rogue dealers in Gauteng were currently costing legal resellers and the local computer industry millions of rands a month through lost revenue - and leaving unsuspecting computer owners with pirated software.
“Microsoft is currently busy investigating 'dozens' of computer dealers suspecting of selling fake or illegally licensed software,” said Lewis.
The dangers of pirated software should not be underestimated. South Africa is experiencing a rising number of what turns out to be 'accidental pirates' - people who unintentionally purchased counterfeit software from resellers they believe to be reliable and only later find out they have been duped. These victims are exposed to a plethora of risks, which in the long-run can prove extremely costly for individuals, and disastrous for businesses. Counterfeit software is also known to be vulnerable to computer viruses, malware and hackers, leaving consumers and businesses potentially unprotected against data loss, privacy issues or identity theft. Meanwhile, local resellers have difficulty competing with pirated software that has been priced at below-market levels and are forced to cut jobs.
There have been widespread reports globally of malware built into pirated copies of Windows 7 for the express purpose of building a botnet - in other words, hijacking computers remotely for use in hacking activities.
Microsoft has had more than 150 000 voluntary reports in the past two years from people who unknowingly purchased counterfeit software. “Consumers and legitimate businesses worldwide are asking us to take action and reduce the risks that non-genuine software exposes them to, and we are 100% committed to helping them,” said Dale Waterman, Corporate Attorney for Anti-Piracy, Microsoft Middle East and Africa. “Microsoft invests heavily in technologies, education and enforcement programmes to make software piracy more difficult. We will continue to push for effective protection of consumers and businesses against the risks associated with using counterfeit software.”
It is estimated that more than a third of all software in South Africa is pirated. Research by the IDC suggests that reducing computer software piracy by 10% over the next four years could create an additional R6 billion in economic growth, and R480 million in additional tax revenue in South Africa.
If you've inadvertently purchased illegal software, return to your point of purchase and ask for a genuine copy of the software. You can print out a copy of the report provided to you during the online validation process and take it with you. The report explains why your system was unable to successfully validate.
You can also approach Microsoft for assistance if you suspect you have been supplied with unlicensed software.
According to a recent survey by Microsoft, which asked more than 38 000 men and women in 20 countries around the world about their perceptions of counterfeit software, 80% of consumers polled worldwide have a range of concerns about the risks of using counterfeit software. Seventy percent said they believe genuine software is more secure, more stable and is easier to keep up to date.
But the presence of high-quality fakes in the market today makes distinguishing counterfeit from genuine a continuing challenge for consumers. The majority of those polled - 73% - say they would choose genuine software given the choice, and more than two-thirds believe that consumers in general have to be on the lookout or they could mistakenly buy counterfeit software.
For more information on how to spot counterfeit software, visit www.howtotell.com or e-mail sapiracy@microsoft.com if you suspect any cases of software piracy in your area.
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