By silicon.com, 17 December 2003 12:40
NEWS 17.12.98: Microsoft has put out a desperate plea to stop a wave of counterfeit Office 97 software from entering UK sales channels.
Anti-piracy manager Dave Gregory estimated that 100,000 fake CDs will appear in the UK this week, causing Microsoft to lose up to £35m in sales. The retail price of a single Office 97 CD is £350.
"We are concerned that the CDs contain virulent viruses which could harm consumers," he said. The company is contacting channel partners and trading standards authorities in an attempt to stem the tide.
The fraudsters faked the packaging process of KAO InfoSystems, the media manufacturer which supplies CDs to Microsoft's European Operations Centre (EOC) in Dublin. The counterfeit software is branded with "rejected by EOC" stamps.
"Everything looks like it should - even the CD hologram," said Gregory. "But they made one big mistake: you can't buy KAO-branded software on the streets. Anything that EOC rejects is immediately incinerated."
17.12.98: The issue of pirated Microsoft software is a complicated one. It certainly still goes on, in ever greater numbers, to this day.
Pirated software is a real problem - for businesses and consumers - and there are organisations such as the Business Software Alliance fighting hard to crack down on this crime.
However, Microsoft plays a twin-role in the process, both useful and obstructive. The size and clout of the Redmond behemoth means it can put a great deal of resource into cracking down on piracy but by doing so it also hinders the anti-piracy movement.
The problem lies with the company's public image.
"Why should we stop buying pirated software? It's not like Bill Gates is going to miss the money" is a fairly standard response.
The truth is far less simplistic. Often it is small developers whose livelihoods are being genuinely affected and to have Microsoft fighting their corner is potentially more damaging than it is beneficial.
To assume the end of the line stops at Gates Central - and therefore he is the only victim - is woefully naïve but it's also understandable because of his company's monopoly position. And therein lies the greatest contradiction. Cynics would say the more Microsoft fights piracy the more damage it potentially does to other - dare we say - 'more deserving' causes who are also victims. With friends like that, who needs enemies.
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