Microsoft introduces genuine software initiative

Across the globe, Microsoft, along with many other Intellectual Property stakeholders, strives to protect its customers and partners from counterfeit and pirated software.

The Organisation for Economic Development, based in Paris, France estimates that the value of counterfeit goods and pirated copyrights in world trade grew from US$ 100 billion in 2001 to US$ 250 billion in 2007.

As a popular operating system used on computers globally, pirated Microsoft software can be freely bought in many countries.

Microsoft Sri Lanka has launched the Genuine Software Initiative (GSI) to combat software counterfeiting and other forms of software piracy into a single coordinated effort.

This initiative protects the decision of genuine resellers and users of Microsoft, many of whom would like to see a validation of their decision through enhanced anti-piracy action.

Globally, Microsoft also places emphasis on Engineering, by continuing to invest in anti-counterfeit technologies and product features that protect its intellectual property and alert consumers worldwide to the presence of counterfeit software.

Why is genuine software better?

Genuine software provides reliability, security and support, enabling confidence that your systems and company are protected. By using fully licensed, genuine Microsoft software, customers can be confident that they will have access to the latest features and full technical support through the local Microsoft Helpdesk to help improve their productivity and expand the capabilities of their technology.

Security risks of counterfeit software

Piracy is not a victimless crime. When software is pirated, the customer does not get access to the updates and upgrades that are being made available from time to time.

What's more, research has found that the cost for an organization to recover from a single incident of malicious software on a single workstation can run over US$ 1,000, while the cost to an organization from lost or compromised data can run into the tens of thousands of dollars per incident.

The chance of receiving an incomplete code increases when consumers are sold counterfeit software over the Internet, while credit card fraud masquerading as online software sales is also common.

Consumers are at risk of downloading or purchasing counterfeit software that can expose their systems to spyware, malware, and viruses that can lead to identify theft, loss of data, and worse.

In a Harrison Group study investigating the impact of unlicensed software on mid-sized companies, it was found that companies using unlicensed and/or counterfeit software were 73 percent more likely to have loss or damage of sensitive data, and 43 percent more likely to have critical computer failures lasting 24 hours or more than those using fully and properly licensed genuine software.

Companies face potential risks to their reputation from the use of counterfeit software, especially if there is a resulting loss of sensitive data. While at first sight it might be cheaper than the original, pirated software proves expensive in the long run as it exposes users to risks such as identity theft and so on.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Transgressing IP rights affects genuine small Sri Lankan companies as much as it affects large multinationals.

IPR impacts every aspect of daily life - and touches nearly every product and service acquired and consumed.

The creative work of software architects and programmers generates intellectual outcomes in the form of software and applications. By protecting this Intellectual Property (IP), likely more of these high-skilled jobs are created.

DMS Electronics Ltd, Enterprise Solutions Group Manager Peter Peiris commented: 'As this year's Best Managed Microsoft Partner, we clearly see the value of Microsoft software and how Microsoft impacts the partner network in Sri Lanka as well as the broader technology adoption in our country. Intellectual Property protection is vital for the success of local companies such as ours in Sri Lanka.

It is high time we, as a nation of entrepreneurs and established companies alike entering a new phase of growth, realize our full potential and at the same time gain respect by keeping at pace with competing nations, by protecting what is rightfully ours, be-it product-inventions, creative inventions, company names or trademarks. Not only do we want to protect our own IPR, we also want to make sure other IP owners' rights are respected.'

Microsoft taking action to protect genuine resellers

According to Microsoft, dealers offering computers that contain pirated software are not only putting honest dealers at risk due to the unfair competition it creates; they also put businesses at risk.

Microsoft Sri Lanka OEM Director Poojitha Rajapakse stated: 'We know a lot of consumers still think of software counterfeiting as a victimless crime, yet I think we've hit a tipping point: further to the various sales and marketing efforts, paired with mystery shopping and market research campaigns and test purchases. He added, 'For Microsoft Partners there is a revenue opportunity when selling only genuine software via the accredited Microsoft Distributors (as opposed to engaging in selling pirated, or both genuine and pirated, or grey imports). We have listened to our customers and resellers and have implemented a number of marketing programs during the past few years in the OEM channel such as an OEM incentive program, OEM training zone and the OEM Sales Academy, supporting resellers and customers.'

The OEM Incentive Program for System Builders is a cash rebate and co-marketing reimbursement program designed to help Microsoft's OEM partners generate demand for Microsoft products. Partners who meet the eligibility requirements of the Local OEM Incentives Program are invited by their Microsoft account manager to register and access the Channel Incentive Platform (CHIP), an online web portal.

OEM Training Zone is a central destination for product and program training and readiness materials created specifically for Microsoft OEM partners. Microsoft partners may register or sign-in to find training content reflecting the richest product and solution suites for Microsoft Windows 7, Office 2010 and Windows Server 2008 R2 plus recently added content for the Channel Incentives Program (CHIP).

The OEM Sales Academy was program designed to train and develop OEM sales personnel to enhance their sales and product knowledge while learning to apply that knowledge to real sales scenarios.

In addition participants are educated on how to leverage on selling genuine software and enhancing the customer experience vs. non-genuine.

* How consumers can avoid becoming victims of the trade in software piracy

There are several steps that everyone can take to help ensure that they don't jeopardize themselves or their business by purchasing counterfeit software, including buying from a reputable reseller, confirming with the reseller that the software will pass validation; ensure that a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is included; is a hologram CD, DVD, or recovery media included; are the product packaging and documentation high quality and is there an End-user License Agreement (EULA).

Customers are may inform themselves by visiting the Microsoft website How to Tell at http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell which provide detailed information and examples of counterfeit software and provide guidance on what consumers should watch out for before purchasing software, to ensure they are making informed decisions.

As part of the Genuine Software Initiative, Microsoft is encouraging customers to use the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tools and the other information available on http://www.microsoft.com/genuine to help ensure they have genuine software.