Major Microsoft win against counterfeiters - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 5th Feb 2008, 09:01

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/02..._ring_foiled/1

Microsoft has announced a successful prosecution of a counterfeiting group allegedly responsible for 90% of fake Microsoft products.

yakyb · 5th Feb 2008, 09:19

good for microsoft

who knows what else this Money is feeding

Dreaming · 5th Feb 2008, 11:08

There is a figure that says 25% of all software on all PCs is counterfeit. That's a pretty shocking statistic considering there are free alternatives for most everyday programs. I expect a lot of that though is internet kiddies with photoshop trying to be artistic.

I don't expect this will slow down piracy though. Groups that organise themselves over the internet often collaborate together to break the copyright protection stuff on software, and this is then distributed through p2p channels - so really there is no way of stopping it, it's like cancer for want of a better metaphor, spreads all over with no centralised area. They can take down torrent trackers, but they're always playing catch up. What was that music sharing service that got done? Then they cracked down on limewire and so. Now they're cracking down on torrents. But the demand is there and people will just come up with another way.

Personally I think steam is the best idea, it's all enclosed so it can't be cracked. (Having said that, I've seen servers in the browser claiming to be 'fixed' which means it works for cracked versions). Other copyright protection systems that hinder rather than help just put off customers. I still don't like having to put CDs in the drive.

Firehed · 5th Feb 2008, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreaming

There is a figure that says 25% of all software on all PCs is counterfeit. That's a pretty shocking statistic considering there are free alternatives for most everyday programs. I expect a lot of that though is internet kiddies with photoshop trying to be artistic.

This may be the case, but a lot of that free software is truly awful from a usability standpoint no matter how many features it shares. It's an unfortunate fact of life when dealing with software - most programmers can't do UI and most designers can't program, and this really shows when you realize that Adobe, MS, Apple, etc have the money to hire both while FOSS guys are typically programmers with free time (and good designers can find a job that actually pays them). I'm not knocking FOSS on principle as I love the effort, but other than a couple rare exceptions it's just a fact. I'd sooner look for a Photoshop torrent from an Adobe employee's laptop than actually try to do anything productive with the GIMP.

Good on Microsoft I guess, but maybe they should start looking into why people are stealing their software. I had no problem dropping $199 on my family pack of Leopard (knowing full well that it's identical to the $129 single-user as there's not so much as a serial key for copy protection), and buy software from the small vendors who put out some great work all the time - I've dropped about $100 with Panic for Transmit and Coda, bought both MacHeist bundles for $50 each (plus one other bundle I think a while back), plenty of little cheap speciality apps that simplify things I could already do by hand if I wanted to waste the time, etc. I have NO problem paying for software - it just has to be worth the money.

Squadexodus · 5th Feb 2008, 14:30

I draw the line at operating systems. I really only use torrents for downloading free things, like battlefield mods and such. Having a pirated OS would freak me out, knowing that Microsoft knows that its pirated

chicorasia · 5th Feb 2008, 15:41

In Brazil, OS piracy was rampant until a couple years ago.

By means of Government incentives (tax cuts), PCs are becoming much more affordable, and we are seeing a very rapid increase in the number of PCs sold. All serious retailers sell new PCs with an OS preinstalled - be it windows SE, linux, winxp or whatever.

Thusly, what was once seen as and "added cost" - an original OS! - has now become part of the basic expectations of any consumer.

I don't recall the exact figures, but software piracy in Brazil has reduced dramatically, despite the enormous growth in PC sales.

Just to show that sometimes, good policies and good marketing practices go a long way to reduce software piracy.

DXR_13KE · 5th Feb 2008, 16:11

a hint to MS: "lower the prices of your OS in certain less rich countries.... that will make people buy more of your OS"

"The company claims that the counterfeiters produced cloned versions of 21 different Microsoft products with an estimated retail worth of $900 million."

so that's $900 million that MS did not earn because their stuff is to expensive......

craigey1 · 5th Feb 2008, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXR_13KE

a hint to MS: "lower the prices of your OS in certain less rich countries.... that will make people buy more of your OS"

"The company claims that the counterfeiters produced cloned versions of 21 different Microsoft products with an estimated retail worth of $900 million."

so that's $900 million that MS did not earn because their stuff is to expensive......

but at half (or even a quarter) of the cost, it'd still be a significant figure.
I agree that MS software is expensive, but that's still a heck of a lot of lost revenue.

Tim S · 5th Feb 2008, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigey1

I agree that MS software is expensive, but that's still a heck of a lot of lost revenue.

No two ways about that one, for sure.

splashdream · 5th Feb 2008, 17:09

so now that over 90% of the offenders are caught sounds like it is time to lower there core product prices or...imagine this...integrate there two most popular software/os packages...windows with integrated office apps at a fraction of the price. When is enough...enough?

Cthippo · 5th Feb 2008, 21:02

This will be an interesting exprriment in the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures. If MS sales increase in the region, then it worked. If they don't, then it shows that piracy does not equal lost sales.

My money is on the latter. People who pirate will never buy.

Glider · 5th Feb 2008, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigey1

but at half (or even a quarter) of the cost, it'd still be a significant figure.
I agree that MS software is expensive, but that's still a heck of a lot of lost revenue.

Not picking on you, picking on the statement...

Windows is expensive most say, but it is the thing you look at 99% of the time... compare that to those 300€ graphic cards some use just for that 1 game... I really like how HW may cost an arm and a leg, but the thing that makes it actually run must be as cheap as possible

metarinka · 5th Feb 2008, 21:29

IIRC the gross nation product per capita in china is under 1,000 USD. lets say it was at 1000. in the USA the average os costs $100 not factoring in the price of a computer. Now how much does your family make? are you willing to spend 1/10th of your families income on a piece of computer software, when you can get the exact same thing for just a tiny bit of the cost? That's the core issue. My cousin lived in Turkey for a year, when he came back he had a stack of about 100 or so pirated video games. First he said it was very hard to even find pirated software, but at 1-10 a game there was no excuse not to buy a lot of copies. Hopefully it will slow down, but right now the cost is too prohibitive

fathazza · 5th Feb 2008, 21:34

meh, id do four years in jail for $900 million

mikeuk2004 · 5th Feb 2008, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by fathazza

meh, id do four years in jail for $900 million

Not a bad price, but Tai prison is not as nice as UK prisons

I dont think they get sky TV, pool tables, fags and Internet?

Glider · 5th Feb 2008, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by metarinka

IIRC the gross nation product per capita in china is under 1,000 USD. lets say it was at 1000. in the USA the average os costs $100 not factoring in the price of a computer. Now how much does your family make? are you willing to spend 1/10th of your families income on a piece of computer software, when you can get the exact same thing for just a tiny bit of the cost? That's the core issue. My cousin lived in Turkey for a year, when he came back he had a stack of about 100 or so pirated video games. First he said it was very hard to even find pirated software, but at 1-10 a game there was no excuse not to buy a lot of copies. Hopefully it will slow down, but right now the cost is too prohibitive

If you can't afford a PC, you shouldn't buy one... Pirating isn't an excuse

Spaceraver · 6th Feb 2008, 02:17

So they could lower prices to an agressive point now i think.. if vista home premium was available for say £145 instead of the £215 it is now here id, buy it and add another pair of RAM sticks.

yakyb · 6th Feb 2008, 10:41

home premium is £60 for OEM i dont understand why prepole always buy the retail version

£60 is a very resonable price for Windows

Glider · 6th Feb 2008, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakyb

home premium is £60 for OEM i dont understand why prepole always buy the retail version

£60 is a very resonable price for Windows

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=146273

E7130 · 6th Mar 2008, 16:47

Glider,

You should point out that as long as your motherboard is defective and under warranty, if you receive a replacement you don't have to purchase a new license. Or, if you are able to find the same exact motherboard to replace damaged one. I posted Microsoft's OEM info in that thread.

5th Feb 2008, 09:01	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,994	Major Microsoft win against counterfeiters http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/02..._ring_foiled/1 Microsoft has announced a successful prosecution of a counterfeiting group allegedly responsible for 90% of fake Microsoft products. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

5th Feb 2008, 09:19	#2
yakyb CK is God!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,073	good for microsoft who knows what else this Money is feeding __________________ Gaming Box:: q6600 @3.0 :: 9800gtx :: Abit IP35 :: 4gb :: 1.4TB :: akasa eclipse :: Win7 Development:: PhenomII 955BE @3.2 :: 4200 :: asus M4A785 M Evo :: 1.25TB ::Win7 Media Centre :: q6600 @3.0 :: x1950pro :: asus p35 epu :: 8gb :: 320 GB :: Lc17B :: Win7 server:: I7 860 :: p55 gd65 :: 3450 :: 8 TB :: 8gb :: Rebel 12 :: server 2008 R2

5th Feb 2008, 11:08	#3
Dreaming Supermodder Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The University of York Posts: 502	There is a figure that says 25% of all software on all PCs is counterfeit. That's a pretty shocking statistic considering there are free alternatives for most everyday programs. I expect a lot of that though is internet kiddies with photoshop trying to be artistic. I don't expect this will slow down piracy though. Groups that organise themselves over the internet often collaborate together to break the copyright protection stuff on software, and this is then distributed through p2p channels - so really there is no way of stopping it, it's like cancer for want of a better metaphor, spreads all over with no centralised area. They can take down torrent trackers, but they're always playing catch up. What was that music sharing service that got done? Then they cracked down on limewire and so. Now they're cracking down on torrents. But the demand is there and people will just come up with another way. Personally I think steam is the best idea, it's all enclosed so it can't be cracked. (Having said that, I've seen servers in the browser claiming to be 'fixed' which means it works for cracked versions). Other copyright protection systems that hinder rather than help just put off customers. I still don't like having to put CDs in the drive. __________________ Dreaming C2D E6300 @ 2.8 \| \| Abit IP35 Pro \| \| 4GB Corsair XMS2 800 \| \| BFG 8800GTS OC2 320MB \| \| 500GB Western Digital for OS + 1500GB Seagate for Storage \| \| Antec NeoHE 550 \| \| Lian Li PC A05B \| \| Samsung 226BW 22"

5th Feb 2008, 14:30	#5
Squadexodus I got my cookie. What about you? Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 595	I draw the line at operating systems. I really only use torrents for downloading free things, like battlefield mods and such. Having a pirated OS would freak me out, knowing that Microsoft knows that its pirated __________________ I blame the sun. It makes my computer short out. http://valid.x86-secret.com/cache/banner/357403.png

5th Feb 2008, 16:11	#7
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,476	a hint to MS: "lower the prices of your OS in certain less rich countries.... that will make people buy more of your OS" "The company claims that the counterfeiters produced cloned versions of 21 different Microsoft products with an estimated retail worth of $900 million." so that's $900 million that MS did not earn because their stuff is to expensive...... __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

5th Feb 2008, 15:41	#6
chicorasia Multimodder Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 84	In Brazil, OS piracy was rampant until a couple years ago. By means of Government incentives (tax cuts), PCs are becoming much more affordable, and we are seeing a very rapid increase in the number of PCs sold. All serious retailers sell new PCs with an OS preinstalled - be it windows SE, linux, winxp or whatever. Thusly, what was once seen as and "added cost" - an original OS! - has now become part of the basic expectations of any consumer. I don't recall the exact figures, but software piracy in Brazil has reduced dramatically, despite the enormous growth in PC sales. Just to show that sometimes, good policies and good marketing practices go a long way to reduce software piracy.

5th Feb 2008, 17:09	#10
splashdream Modder Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tacoma, WA, USA Posts: 59	so now that over 90% of the offenders are caught sounds like it is time to lower there core product prices or...imagine this...integrate there two most popular software/os packages...windows with integrated office apps at a fraction of the price. When is enough...enough?

5th Feb 2008, 21:02	#11
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,475	This will be an interesting exprriment in the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures. If MS sales increase in the region, then it worked. If they don't, then it shows that piracy does not equal lost sales. My money is on the latter. People who pirate will never buy. __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

5th Feb 2008, 21:29	#13
metarinka I am a Dremel Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,623	IIRC the gross nation product per capita in china is under 1,000 USD. lets say it was at 1000. in the USA the average os costs $100 not factoring in the price of a computer. Now how much does your family make? are you willing to spend 1/10th of your families income on a piece of computer software, when you can get the exact same thing for just a tiny bit of the cost? That's the core issue. My cousin lived in Turkey for a year, when he came back he had a stack of about 100 or so pirated video games. First he said it was very hard to even find pirated software, but at 1-10 a game there was no excuse not to buy a lot of copies. Hopefully it will slow down, but right now the cost is too prohibitive __________________ project: Orbitoid project: Orbitoid discussion Project: Angry-9 the WWII radio

5th Feb 2008, 21:34	#14
fathazza Freed on Probation Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 3,110	meh, id do four years in jail for $900 million __________________ I may be fat but at least I am not Ginger "The President is no longer a cross-eyed Texan warmonger, unelected, inarticulate, who epitomises the arrogance of American foreign policy" - Boris Johnson

6th Feb 2008, 02:17	#17
Spaceraver Weekend Junkie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolding, Denmark Posts: 1,307	So they could lower prices to an agressive point now i think.. if vista home premium was available for say £145 instead of the £215 it is now here id, buy it and add another pair of RAM sticks. __________________ "Faith: not wanting to know what is true." - Friedrich Nietzsche. "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." - Seneca Last thing I remember, I was drinking this glowing green sht out of a test tube and dancing like a bstard.

6th Feb 2008, 10:41	#18
yakyb CK is God!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,073	home premium is £60 for OEM i dont understand why prepole always buy the retail version £60 is a very resonable price for Windows __________________ Gaming Box:: q6600 @3.0 :: 9800gtx :: Abit IP35 :: 4gb :: 1.4TB :: akasa eclipse :: Win7 Development:: PhenomII 955BE @3.2 :: 4200 :: asus M4A785 M Evo :: 1.25TB ::Win7 Media Centre :: q6600 @3.0 :: x1950pro :: asus p35 epu :: 8gb :: 320 GB :: Lc17B :: Win7 server:: I7 860 :: p55 gd65 :: 3450 :: 8 TB :: 8gb :: Rebel 12 :: server 2008 R2

6th Mar 2008, 16:47	#20
E7130 Shinju Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 19	Glider, You should point out that as long as your motherboard is defective and under warranty, if you receive a replacement you don't have to purchase a new license. Or, if you are able to find the same exact motherboard to replace damaged one. I posted Microsoft's OEM info in that thread.