THE SOFTWARE industry in Cyprus lost $15 million due to piracy in 2008, it emerged yesterday but measures are being stepped up with the launch of a Mystery Shopper campaign nationwide to root out fakes.
“In Cyprus, a new era in combating software piracy has emerged. As an effort to protect the honest resellers from the illicit competition and the consumers from being duped, we are currently running a Mystery Shopper campaign nationwide,” said Evie Demetriou, Anti-Piracy Manager of Microsoft Cyprus.
Demetriou said they were also working closely with the Cyprus police to train them in forensic technology, which helps them determine whether product keys found during police investigations are genuine or counterfeit.
This Microsoft and Police relationship will be further intensified in the following months, she added.
“In these uncertain times it is vital that companies do not skip corners and distribute unlicensed software to their customers,” said Achilleas Demetriades, the lawyer for Business Software Alliance (BSA) in Cyprus.
“All businesses and consumers should also ensure they are buying licensed software to avoid the severe technical and legal risks related to illegal software use. Furthermore, I believe that one of the key measurements of culture in any society, is the degree of respect towards intellectual property rights. In Cyprus the piracy rate fluctuates around 50 per cent hence we still have a long way to go.”
Moreover, most people simply find themselves without the software they thought they were paying for. Unable to get a refund from the dealer, some consumers find they need to purchase the product again.
“I first discovered that my copy of Office was pirated when I went to validate it online. I was to be honest flabbergasted since I had paid for a genuine copy of Office. I went back to the store and complained but I was told that id I didn’t like my copy that was installed, I could buy another from them! I was shocked and very upset and incensed. Microsoft’s Genuine Advantage program is of great benefit to people who have been innocently been sold or given as part of a sale something which later turns out to be pirated. I mean, it’s pretty bad for the consumer when you can’t even trust an officially franchised dealer,” said Dave O’Neil from Paphos.
Tips from customers and partners are vital in helping Microsoft address piracy. Microsoft encourages anyone who receives suspicious software to call at 22-456077 or to go online at www.howtotell.com
