Software counterfeiters often take advantage of businesses seeking to cut their software-acquisition costs. Don't let your customers be fooled. As their trusted advisor, you can help them by identifying the different kinds of software piracy and the associated risks they pose - including legal action.
Copying or distributing copyrighted software without license is one kind of piracy, but it's not the only kind. Simple possession of unauthorised software is also piracy. Familiarity with these and other forms of piracy can help protect you and your customers from the potential repercussions of intellectual property theft. Software piracy includes:
End-user piracy. It is illegal to copy or possess software without licensing for each copy. Individual users and companies alike must acquire enough licences to cover their software installations. Volume Licensing applies only to Windows desktop upgrades, not to the full Windows operating system.
Manufacturer piracy. It is illegal for a computer manufacturer to copy software and preinstall it without permission on more than one computer. To learn how to locate proper licence documentation, visit the Certificate of Authenticity site.
Internet piracy. It is illegal to offer unauthorised copies of software for download over the Internet. If software is available on the Internet, make sure the software publisher has authorised this distribution.
Counterfeiting. It is illegal to manufacture unauthorised copies of software and distribute those copies in packaging that reproduces or resembles that of the manufacturer. Counterfeit registration cards with unauthorised serial numbers are often included in these packages.
Online auction piracy. It is illegal to resell software in violation of the original terms of sale, to resell software marked not for resale (NFR) or to resell OEM software that is never authorised for resale by a third party.
Online distributor piracy. Software counterfeiters will sometimes promote 'special deals' they've made with the software publisher, advertise 'liquidated inventories', or try to generate interest in software they acquired through 'bankruptcy sales'. Watch out for phrases like these. They can lead customers to think they're getting genuine software at a discounted price.
Genuine Microsoft Software Initiative
Unlicensed and pirated software threatens the entire software industry. Communicate the benefits of genuine software to your customers. Find out more about the Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative.
