Microsoft seeks concerted efforts against increasing software grey markets

MICROSOFT International has called for concerted efforts in the fight against software counterfeiting and piracy across the globe.Microsoft at the inaugural global Play Fair Day recently, noted in its latest findings, which examined the financial impact illegal software has on the competitive landscape within developing economies, with a focus on manufacturing companies in Brazil, Russia, India and China that choose to use illegal software steal more than $1.5 billion from their in-market competitors that choose to play fair by using genuine software.'The ability to insert more than $1.5 billion per year into these economies should be reason enough to play fair, regardless of the other inherent dangers pirated software brings to a business,' said Microsoft's Corporate Attorney for Anti-Piracy for the Middle East and Africa region Dale Waterman.He added: 'Pirated and counterfeit software is lining the pockets of dangerous criminals. What's more, when companies use pirated software, it hinders job opportunities and stifles innovation. It is also just plain wrong.'Meanwhile, in its latest piracy research for Nigeria, Microsoft said the value of PC Software theft reached a new peak at $225 million in 2010, as 82 per cent of software deployed on PCs during the year was pirated.According to the Anti-Piracy Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Seye Oloruntoba,'Software piracy is unfair play that ultimately hurts us all. Economic growth in Nigeria is thwarted by piracy ' pirated software doesn't create jobs for students, developers, or IT professionals. This is one of the key reasons we take our responsibility to educate consumers about the risks ' and support local enforcement efforts by authorities like the NCC ' extremely seriously.
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