Microsoft's fight against piracy, Mumbai dealers trapped

BANGALORE: In a move to curb software piracy, software giant, Microsoft
tracked down three Mumbai based computer dealers who were selling pirated
Microsoft software products. However Microsoft entered in to a settlement with
the three dealers. As part of the Dealer Test Purchase Program (DTPP) conducted
by Microsoft across Asia, Dhrishti Computer, Realtime Computers and Ultratek
Computers were found to be selling personal computers from their premises,
installed with unlicensed copies of Windows 98 and 95, Office 97 and 2000 and
Visual Fox Pro.

Following reports filed by the DTPP investigating team, Microsoft issued
notices to all three distributors asking them to attend a settlement meeting,
where the dealers agreed to sign an undertaking not to copy, sell or distribute
unlicensed copies of Microsoft software programs. The dealers have also
undertaken to surrender all unauthorized copies of Microsoft software in their
possession.

This settlement will heighten awareness to the dangers of hard disk loading,
an illegal practice where computers have pirated software installed onto the
computer, ready for sale to unassuming customers, amongst Indian computer
dealers.

Counterfeit and pirated goods are developed in order to defraud or deceive
the public for monetary gain. If found guilty under the Act, offenders risk
criminal penalties for each piece of infringing merchandise found, as well as a
jail term or both. Senior management deemed guilty of the offences committed
would also be liable for imprisonment.

"Microsoft believes that its best defense against counterfeiters and
piracy is educated customers," said Microsoft Corporate Attorney, Huey Sze
Tan. "The more we can inform and educate consumers on the risks they face
when using counterfeit products, the closer we come to eradicating the problem
of piracy. Microsoft's Dealer Test Purchase Program seeks to identify dealers
and distributors who have unauthorized software in their possession and engage
in hard disk loading of such unlicensed software on computers sold to
consumers."

"Microsoft takes the illegal practice of hard disk loading by resellers
and dealers very seriously, as it impacts directly on its customers and
legitimate channel partners. Microsoft intends to expand the DTPP action to
ensure that this illegal action is curtailed," Huey Sze Tan said.

In order to combat piracy, Microsoft has established an anti-piracy hotline
that customers can use to report suspected acts of piracy and counterfeiting.
The hotline seeks to encourage the public to report any incidence of software
piracy, which in turn facilitates appropriate legal action against offenders of
Intellectual Property Rights.

To report the illegal use of pirated software please call the hotline on 080
553 5224.