Andre Yoskowitz
6 Dec 2009 22:50
Microsoft noted this week that they had launched over 300 "enforcement actions," such as lawsuits and raids in an effort to crackdown on rampant piracy of the company's software.
The actions took place in 70 different nations around the world. The software giant has also created nine "forensics labs" in different cities used to detect pirated software.
Twelve raids took place in China, with the China Copyright Administration raiding companies charged with alleged counterfeiting of software. A lawsuit was also filed against a Chinese "system builder for hard-disk loading piracy."
Significant legal actions were filed in India against pirated software sellers, many of whom were selling counterfeit Windows 7 discs for under $5 USD.
Microsoft acknowledges that only a tiny amount of bottom line sales come from nations outside of North America and Western Europe however it needs giant developing markets such as India and China to lead future growth.