Microsoft's new 'œGlobal Anti-Piracy Day' must have Linux users laughing

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 21 October 2008 11:07

Opinion and Analysis

Turns out that on a global basis, we’re looking at figures of more than one third, which is a big chunk of revenue to see go up in digital smoke.

The “5th Annual Business Software Alliance and IDC Global Software Piracy Study” noted that the losses inflicted on legitimate businesses by widespread software piracy are very significant – in 2007, the global economic loss was estimated at nearly $50 billion. That’s some serious big bikkies.

Micosoft says that it’s helping to “level the playing field for legitimate dealers who are harmed when illegal sales cut into their business, and ensuring that consumers receive the full value of licensed, genuine Microsoft products.”

Ms Clare Wharrier, spokesperson, Business Software Alliance Australia said: “Piracy is a big issue because it affects the bottom line of thousands of businesses across Australia. Software resellers and consumers are the biggest victims here, because resellers who offer genuine product and software support cannot compete with discounted prices offered by pirates. This may result in significant loss of revenue for distribution partners.

“Collaboration between public and private sector organisations, including enforcement bodies and business groups, is the most effective way to tackle these issues,” added Ms Wharrier.

High-quality online counterfeit Federal Magistrates Court filings:

- Lisa Jane Chatman, trading as eBay alias “angel*software”: Copyright infringement claim for allegedly selling high quality counterfeit copies of Microsoft Windows XP Professional OEM

- Andrew Roe trading as eBay alias ”australian_computer_parts_wholesalers”: Copyright infringement claim for allegedly selling high quality counterfeit copies of Microsoft Windows XP Professional OEM and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003

- Calvin Knight trading as eBay alias “4574criminal”: Copyright infringement claim for allegedly selling high quality counterfeit Microsoft Windows XP Professional OEM

Copyright infringement filings and settlements resulting from blitz actions:

- Mark Lunn and Specta-G Pty Limited trading as Inspect-A-Gadget: Copyright infringement claim for allegedly supplying a computer system loaded with an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003

- Gary Rufnak trading as NewLife Computers: Copyright infringement claim for allegedly supplying a computer system loaded with an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003
Microsoft reached a settlement with the following reseller on October 13th:

- Tri Van Do trading as Dovan Computers: Supplied a computer system loaded with an unlicensed copy of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007