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Microsoft
Applications Software
Microsoft has all the right software applications for your corporation,
government, charity, and academic customers. Microsoft will keep
your organization running up to speed. The most popular
Microsoft application software is Office
2003.
Here are the ways to purchase software applications:
Business Open License-
Buying 5 or more licenses
Academic Open License- Buying 5 or more licenses & qualified
Government Open License- Buying 5 or more licenses &
qualified
Charity Open License- Buying 5 or more licenses & qualified
Open Value- Buying 5 or more licenses & software assurance
Open License Volume- Buying about 500 or more licenses
School Agreement- Buying about 300 licenses & qualified
Buying Genuine Microsoft Software
Genuine Microsoft software is published
by Microsoft, properly licensed, and supported by Microsoft
or a trusted partner.
By using genuine Microsoft software, you can be confident
that your software is legitimate and fully supported by
Microsoft. Learn more about how Microsoft is working to
protect consumers against counterfeit and pirated software
below.
The Business Software Alliance reported that in 2003, an
incredible thirty six percent of software used world-wide
was unlicensed, pirated or counterfeit. Additionally many
users of counterfeit and unlicensed software are not aware
that their software is not genuine. The negative impact of
software piracy is not limited to these consumers who spend
millions each year on software but it has a negative impact
on local and regional economies and also the global economy.
Microsoft is strongly committed to supporting the health and
vitality of the information technology industry by advancing
anti-piracy technologies and working with more than 750,000
hardware manufacturers, developers, and service providers in
every region of the world to protect customers from software
piracy. Microsoft supports efforts that aim to strengthen
local, national and global economies and provide customers
with software to help them realize their full potential.
Microsoft works to protect customers and support a healthy
software ecosystem by investing and supporting activities in
three key areas.
The Three E's: Education, Engineering and
Enforcement
Microsoft shares a deep industry commitment to protecting
the value of intellectual property and in preserving the
commercial software model to ensure that customers receive
the best quality product with viable, effective support
services. At Microsoft, the proactive anti-piracy approach
is built on the three E's: Education, Engineering, and
Enforcement:
1. Education: Increase user awareness, knowledge
and understanding of the advantages of using genuine
software
2. Engineering: Develop technology that protects
against the proliferation of counterfeit and pirated
software
3. Enforcement: Collaborate with other software
developers and law enforcement authorities to find and
prosecute criminals who produce and sell counterfeit
software
Education: Protecting Customers Against Counterfeit
Software
To make it easier for customers to identify and protect
against counterfeit software, Microsoft works to educate
customers, resellers and government agencies about the
dangers of counterfeit and pirated software and how to tell
the difference between genuine and non-genuine software.
Microsoft invests in developing tools that help customers
make informed decisions about purchasing and using genuine
software, including:
A quick reference guide to checking the authenticity of
their software, available at
www.howtotell.com
The Windows Validation Assistant helps users determine
if their Windows XP installation is genuine:
www.howtotell.com/windows
Engineering: The Microsoft Commitment to Technology-based
Protection
As software pirates have become increasingly sophisticated,
Microsoft works aggressively to stay one step ahead by
developing more advanced security features that protect
consumers from counterfeit software. Both customers and
resellers have invested a tremendous amount of money and
resources to acquire and use genuine Microsoft software.
Three key anti-counterfeiting technologies featured in many
Microsoft software products are:
Microsoft Product Activation: Product Activation ensures
that only the rightful owner of the software purchased
in accordance with the accompanying license agreement
may use that software. Product Activation can help
protect the software assets purchased by a customer from
being used by others. A number of Microsoft software
products use this technology including, Microsoft
Windows, Microsoft Office System products and others.
Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels: Both
pre-installed and off-the-shelf, the Certificate of
Authenticity, or ‘COA’, utilizes security features
similar to those used in many currencies around the
world. Some of the newest COA labels include interwoven
metallic or polymer threads and the exclusive Port-Hole
technology. The product name and often a unique product
key will appear on these labels. The COA appears on
nearly all Microsoft software products.
Edge-to-Edge holograms: This technology incorporates
complex holographic images into the surface of the disc
as an integral part of the CD manufacturing process. The
technology is very difficult to copy and is easily
recognizable. The use of holograms enables both end
users and law enforcement agencies to quickly spot
counterfeits.
Enforcement: Protecting Intellectual Property and Business
Partners
Microsoft works closely with law enforcement and government
agencies around the world to develop effective anti-piracy
policies and to pursue criminals that are engaged in
pirating or counterfeiting software ensuring that consumers,
honest resellers and system builders are protected and enjoy
the full benefits of genuine software.
The commercial software industry holds enormous promise to
benefit local economies around the world. With consistent
intellectual property protection by government and industry,
this industry will continue to provide economic benefits.
According to a study performed in April, 2003 by IDC, a
research and analysis firm located in Boston, Massachusetts,
countries with laws that protect intellectual property
rights tend to have stronger economies. Microsoft will
continue to support the creation and enforcement of fair
intellectual property protection legislation.
The Commitment to
Anti-Piracy
Unlicensed and pirated software threatens not only the
entire software industry, but also other industries that
create products built on intellectual property. Most
importantly, Microsoft wants all customers to realize the
benefits of genuine software.
By educating customers about anti-piracy, working with
partners around the world to improve enforcement and
investing in technology to make it easier to identify and
protect against counterfeit software, Microsoft can better
assure that users and businesses will fully enjoy the
benefits of using quality, supported software.
Can't find the answer?
Call 888.275.8850 for free software license
consulting.
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