Microsoft Gets Tough With Windows Software Pirating

By: Sara Smith
Published: Dec 4, 2008
Updated: Mar 13, 2010

Microsoft is going after software pirates that are selling counterfeit versions of Windows XP. The software giant has filed 63 lawsuits in 12 countries. Microsoft has also set up a new Web site for Windows customers to report counterfeit software.

Microsoft Corp is warning software buyers that there is no such thing as Microsoft Office "Blue Edition." The new campaign has been seen spotted on a variety of auction Web sites which Microsoft says is pirated software.

"That program is entirely fictitious," said Matt Lundy, a senior attorney for Microsoft. "It's nothing more than a scheme by pirates to confuse and deceive consumers."

Microsoft has targeted those selling the "Blue Edition" as well as several other elaborate schemes in a series of 63 lawsuits in 12 countries, including a number of actions filed this week in the United States.

Many of them involve counterfeiting of Windows XP, which is being phased out of traditional retail channels.

In addition to targeting Blue Edition sellers, Microsoft is going after pirates in New Zealand that were selling counterfeit copies of Windows XP that were shipped to buyers in the U.S., directly from China.

Counterfeit programs often come with downsides for consumers, such as preloaded spyware and other malicious programs. The anti-piracy effort also works to the advantage of Microsoft's business by encouraging legitimate software sales, particularly in developing nations.