Microsoft mobilises users to combat piracy

The Indian arm of software giant Microsoft today launched a consumer-led enforcement initiative to combat rampat software piracy.

Calling the initiative the 'Consumer Action Day', Microsoft India hopes to mobilise consumers help it in combatting piracy by reporting instances of software piracy and counterfeiting by its resellers and if they have been the victim of piracy or counterfeit software.

Part of a global initiative, Consumer Action Day is being initiated in over 70 countries with key educational initiatives and enforcement action to protect consumers from unlicensed / counterfeit software, following over 150,000 voluntary reports from consumers across the world.

Microsoft India says that over the last few months, it has received numerous complaints from alert consumers who had unknowingly purchased unlicensed /c ounterfeit software and found them riddled with viruses or malware.

Madhu Karunakaran from Cochin, recounts his experience, "I found out that I had a counterfeit copy of Windows when I went through the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process. The seller had misrepresented it as an original product. The seller's price was only a bit lower than the market average, so I assumed that I was getting a better deal."

To enable such consumers and others who are aware of pirated products which have been sold can register a complaint with Microsoft by logging into www.microsoft.com/piracy or can write to piracy@microsoft.com or call phone numbers provided on the sites.