Microsoft Windows Piracy
Microsoft Windows Piracy
This news was printed in local newspaper "The Tribune".
Microsoft to identify illegal Windows operating system
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 31
If you are using a pirated copy of Microsoft Windows operating system, be careful,
Microsoft has taken a decision to come looking for all those who are causing the American software giant huge financial losses. Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited today announced its Genuine Software Initiative that aims at identifying and warning pirated software users across the country.
According to Microsoft officials, starting June 1, customers running non-genuine copy of Windows will receive notifications in secsure nooks and corners of their homes, directly on their desktop - informing them that the copy of Windows they are running is not genuine.
Sources said though it might not be possible to identify pirated operating system being used on standalone systems, but once a
computer is connected to the Internet, Microsoft will be able to identify computers on which illegal or pirated software is being
used. A pop up message will flash on the computer screen informing the user about the status of his software.
Mr Doug Hauger, Head Business and Marketing Operations for the company in India, said, "Our research indicated that almost 50 per cent of Indian consumers who use counterfeit software today, do so unknowingly. The research also made it clear that lack of ready access to and availability of genuine software is an issue that compounds the problem in India."
The company hopes that several people who do not know that they are using pirated software will automatically switch to licenced
software. Piracy and counterfeit products are an important issue across the entire technology industry. The Business Software
Alliance (BSA) estimates that 35 per cent of all software used worldwide is counterfeit or otherwise illegal, and in 2005 economic
losses due to software piracy amounted to $34 billion.
According to a Nasscom study, an estimated 10-point decrease in the piracy level (from the existing 72 per cent) in India can result in a 13.4 per cent increase in GDP. This faster growth could help India generate 364,000 more jobs and add $30 billion a year.
"It's important for everyone concerned to realise that piracy impacts the health of IT industry and the economy as a whole, and
the industry needs to work in tandem to address the issue. Through our Genuine Software Initiative, over the next year we will be
making significant investments in the areas of Education, Engineering and Enforcement to ensure that we create an environment
of respect for IPR and help bring down the level of piracy in the country", Mr Hauger said.
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