Microsoft keeps it real in fight against pirates
Software giant sets three-year target to reduce amount of UK Windows piracy
Microsoft has launched a new initiative to combat illegal software to protect channel partners and end-users from the effects of piracy.
Keep IT Real, which forms part of the software giant’s Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) online software-validation programme launched last year (CRN, 1 August), is designed to enable Microsoft to achieve its three-year goal of reducing UK Windows piracy.
Speaking at the launch of Keep IT Real in central London last week, Alistair Baker, vice-president of Microsoft EMEA, said: “Our genuine channel wants us to help them reduce pirated copies of our software because it’s competing directly with them.”
The initiative is divided into several anti-piracy schemes, such as regional education tours, working with online retail and auction sites, an increase in alliances with anti-piracy organisations, such as The Patent Office, and continued development of Microsoft WGA.
One of the Keep IT Real schemes, dubbed ‘Feet on the Street’, is made up of two investigation teams that aim to make 800 visits this year to individuals or businesses suspected of creating or trading in pirated software. This could then result in prosecutions.
Paul Ramsden, deputy chief executive of Trading Standards, said Keep IT Real was a step in the right direction. “Piracy is a really big deal and we’re starting to win the battle, but initiatives such as Microsoft’s will help us to get to the roots and shut them down,” he said.
However, Abdul Terry, head of marketing at Microsoft-certified partner Equanet, told CRN that Micro-soft’s approach could be perceived as rough-handed.
“It’s well meaning and justified, but I’m not sure how well it will go down with partners. At the enterprise level, I don’t think pirated software affects channel revenue too much, but at an SME level I think it could have a greater effect because businesses are more price conscious,” he said.