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The
Impact of Software Piracy
By Spencer Ferguson
(e-mail the author)
Wasatch
Software guarantees the authenticity of every product we sell. We vow to protect
our customers, ourselves, and our channel partners from software piracy. We will
do this by purchasing products from proper sources. We do not buy or sell
software from questionable sources. Should you ever have a question about
something purchased from us or another vendor, please call the Business Software
Alliance at 888-NO-PIRACY.
Software
piracy has exploded now that online shopping has become so popular. The
Business Software Alliance (BSA) is an organization that was created by many top
software manufacturers in 1988. Their goals are very simple: educate computer
users about software piracy, and protect software copyrights. Here are some of
the hard facts they have discovered regarding software piracy:
●We are
currently facing a 36% global piracy rate.
●The
piracy rate in the United States
is 25%.
●China’s
piracy rate is at 91%.
●It is
estimated that $12 billion is lost each year due to software piracy.
●Based on
test purchases, 90% of software purchased from online sites are infringing.
●There are
an estimated 840,000 sites selling illegal
software as the real thing.
With
these facts in mind, what should you know when purchasing software online?
●Prices
that are extremely discounted can be an indicator for software piracy. If it’s
too good to be true, it probably is.
●Trust
your instincts. Many auctioneers or vendors will claim they get great discounts
by purchasing from defunct businesses or by buying wholesale. Be very leery of
these sources.
●Make sure
the software comes with the proper licensing materials. As a note, most
Microsoft products must come with an original CD, manual, and Certificate of
Authenticity.
If you
have any concerns at all about a purchase, contact one of the following
organizations immediately:
Microsoft
Anti-piracy
1-800-RULEGIT (800-785-3448) Option 4
http://microsoft.com/piracy
Business
Software Alliance
1-888-NO PIRACY (888-667-4722)
http://bsa.org
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