The day today
As the largest software company in the world, it's hardly surprising that Microsoft is taking a lead in combating software piracy, which must cost Microsoft millions a year. It has its own in-house investigative and legal team and regularly trumpets the success of its efforts against professional counterfeiters.
This work alone is clearly not enough, however, as Microsoft has today taken it upon itself to declare today Global Anti-Piracy Day. This, says Microsoft, is "a simultaneous launch of education initiatives and enforcement actions in 49 countries on six continents."
In other words, a sinister mix of educational programmes and legal action all choreographed to culminate in a single 24-hour period.
"Software piracy and counterfeiting is a sophisticated, global trade with a damaging impact on consumers, businesses and economies, and Microsoft is committed to working with others around the world to stay a step ahead of this illegal industry," said David Finn, associate general counsel for worldwide anti-piracy at Microsoft.
"In partnership with national governments, local law enforcement agencies, and our customer and partner communities, Microsoft is driving anti-piracy efforts across countries and continents through an equally sophisticated system of business intelligence, forensics and education.
"Together, we are working to identify international connection points between software pirates and counterfeiters, to help stop them in their tracks and protect consumers and legitimate businesses from this illegal trade."
