The Continuing Fight for Genuine Software
Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative expands programs to help customers identify counterfeit software.
Microsoft is committed to protecting consumers and software resellers from counterfeit software and other forms of software piracy. The company recently announced an expanded focus on those efforts through creation of the Genuine Software Initiative (GSI).
As part of the Genuine Software Initiative, Microsoft will expand a pilot of the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program that provides notifications to consumers using non-genuine Microsoft Windows XP. Most customers will experience no change, but, for customers who are running a non-genuine copy of Windows, the new feature will enable notifications directly to their desktop that the copy of Windows they are running isn't genuine. The Windows Genuine Advantage program was launched in July 2005 to provide an improved experience for consumers using genuine Windows XP and to help Microsoft address software piracy. To date, the owners of more than 150 million PCs have participated in the program. The first phase of the notifications pilot was launched in Norway and Sweden in November 2005, and in February 2006 in five additional countries. Today, Microsoft will expand the pilot to customers in the U.S., United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, Microsoft is piloting Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) this week to help customers determine if they have a genuine installation of the Microsoft Office system of productivity applications. The program will initially be piloted in seven languages: Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, Greek, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
How to Identify Counterfeit Software
Counterfeit software can come from a number of sources. Consumers should make sure that they obtain all software from a reputable source. They can look to see what the genuine Microsoft software, labeling and packing look like, and pick up some tips on how to make sure they are getting what they are paying for at Microsoft's "How to Tell" Web site.
Consumers who suspect they are a victim of piracy can e-mail piracy@microsoft.com, or in the U.S. can call the Microsoft Anti-Piracy Hotline at (800) RU-LEGIT. For locations outside the U.S., they can look for the right country contact information. If consumers want to report general industry piracy, they can use the Business Software Alliance website at http://www.bsa.org
Complete article at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/apr06/04-24GenuineSoftware.mspx