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Fuzzy Logic Microsoft’s new “Global Anti-Piracy Day” must have Linux users laughing
Fuzzy Logic Microsoft’s new “Global Anti-Piracy Day” must have Linux users laughing | Microsoft’s new “Global Anti-Piracy Day” must have Linux users laughing |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Tuesday, 21 October 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 3 Vanessa Hutley, Director, Intellectual Property, Microsoft Australia said: “Software piracy and counterfeiting is a global trade and Microsoft is committed to working with others around the world to stay a step ahead of this criminal industry. Fighting piracy is about protecting consumers who think they are buying legitimate software, as well protecting the interests of legitimate IT businesses. Featured Whitepaper
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“It has been estimated that a reduction in piracy by 10 per cent over the next four years would generate an additional 3,929 jobs in Australia. According to a recent IDC Piracy Impact Study 2008, the reduction would result in AU$1.9 billion in local industry revenue and AU$4.3 billion in additional GDP,” explained Ms Huntley. And Microsoft’s latest blitz isn’t its first, nor will it be the last. Earlier this year Microsoft netted 21 other infringers, although that must have spooked some of them because Ms Huntley noted how heartening it was “to see the number of infringing re-sellers decrease during the recent blitz.” Huntley added: “We are encouraged by the proportionally small number of businesses contacted who were prepared to offer pirated software. We will continue to monitor the channel to ensure this encouraging downward trend is maintained. The results show that our blitz strategy has assisted the local channel to even up the playing field,” Ms Hutley said. It’s not just physical or online resellers that Microsoft is targeting either, but is also working in concert with Australian Customs, and the state and federal police to “assist them in the detection of counterfeit software.” Commander Ray Johnson, the Australian Federal Police's manager of special operations, said IP crime was not a victimless crime, explaining that “the manufacture, distribution and sale of copied goods causes job losses, harms the economy, funds other serious organised crime and affects the commercial viability of legitimate businesses.” Commander Johnson said: "Counterfeiting and piracy steals someone else's creativity, investment, planning and effort.” “Intellectual property is just as valuable as physical property and, unlike much of what might be stolen in a burglary, you can't replace stolen ideas. Although it's a crime, fake goods seem to be widely acceptable, compared with stolen goods. The primary focus for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is investigating and prosecuting producers, organisers and distributers of offending products." So, how many PCs around the world have unlicensed, pirated or counterfeit software? Continued on page 3. |
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