Even Companies Get Fooled by Pirated Software, Reveals Microsoft
While some users go out of their way to download and use pirated software and save a pretty penny (even though they could for example give up on windows and switch to Ubuntu which comes free of charge), going the same route is not a viable option for companies. But according to a recent study commissioned by Microsoft, even the most ethical of companies can sometimes be fooled into purchasing pirated software.
The study in question is called “The Surprising Risks of Counterfeit Software in Business” and it brought to light three key aspects regarding the usage of pirated software:
1. 37% of midsized business included in the study used some form of Microsoft pirated software.
2. The pirated software was not your run of the mill kind, it was high-quality so as to perfectly emulate an original product. This measure reveals that pirates have become more sophisticated so as to better fool the companies that purchase the software in good faith.
3. Midsized companies spent on average, more than $10,000 on pirated software.
“It’s obvious that the strategy of software pirates is to create high-quality counterfeit software that is designed to deceive. The study reveals just how prevalent the problem is within the business environment. The best way to protect companies is by educating people about software piracy and providing tools to help identify and prevent the risks of counterfeit software before they purchase and install it in their workplace. With high-quality counterfeit software, where the packaging is very good and the price is reasonable, it can be difficult for a customer to tell the difference,” commented Senior Director with Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative, Cori Hartje .
If you would like to take a look at “The Surprising Risks of Counterfeit Software in Business” study for yourself, you can do so here (PDF warning).
The study in question is called “The Surprising Risks of Counterfeit Software in Business” and it brought to light three key aspects regarding the usage of pirated software:
1. 37% of midsized business included in the study used some form of Microsoft pirated software.
2. The pirated software was not your run of the mill kind, it was high-quality so as to perfectly emulate an original product. This measure reveals that pirates have become more sophisticated so as to better fool the companies that purchase the software in good faith.
3. Midsized companies spent on average, more than $10,000 on pirated software.
“It’s obvious that the strategy of software pirates is to create high-quality counterfeit software that is designed to deceive. The study reveals just how prevalent the problem is within the business environment. The best way to protect companies is by educating people about software piracy and providing tools to help identify and prevent the risks of counterfeit software before they purchase and install it in their workplace. With high-quality counterfeit software, where the packaging is very good and the price is reasonable, it can be difficult for a customer to tell the difference,” commented Senior Director with Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative, Cori Hartje .
If you would like to take a look at “The Surprising Risks of Counterfeit Software in Business” study for yourself, you can do so here (PDF warning).
