Pirated Software: Cracking Down On Internet Fraud
FindLawBy Eric Sinrod
Unwitting consumers at times are duped into purchasing pirated software online. This results in substantial lost revenue to the true developers of the software and can lead to consumers obtaining less desirable software than promised.
Indeed, one study estimated that 21% of software in the United States in 2005 was unlicensed and that this resulted in lost revenue of $6.9 billion.
In an effort to combat the online sale of pirated software, efforts by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) resulted in the shutting down of more than 16,000 auctions last year that were believed to be offering pirated and counterfeit products.
The BSA now has gone one step further by launching an Internet fraud web site at http://www.bsacybersafety.com/fraud. The purpose of the web site is to raise awareness and to provide education regarding online fraud. It also seeks to have individuals provide their own accounts of how they were lured into purchasing pirated software online.
As part of its education efforts, the BSA offers ten points of advice for consumers that can help them to avoid being victims of online pirates.
First, “trust your instincts.” If the price for software is too good to be true, that probably is the case.
Second, “make sure it’s authentic.” Be wary of software products that do not include proof of authenticity like original manuals and warranties.
Third, “read the label.” Be suspicious of products that do not look genuine, such as those with hand-written labels.
Fourth, “beware of back-ups.” Avoid sellers offering to make back-up copies, as this suggests illegality.
Fifth, “steer clear of compilations.” Stay away from compilations of software from different publishers on a single disk or CD.
Sixth, “look for the trust mark.” A trust mark from a known organization such as BBBOnline helps to demonstrate that an online retailer is reliable and has a proven track record.
Seventh, “do your homework.” Review the feedback section in auction sites to see comments about sellers based on prior transactions.
Eighth, “get the seller’s address, if possible.” You may not have recourse against a seller if you cannot locate the seller.
Ninth, “keep receipts.” Print and retain copies of your order numbers and sales confirmations at least until you have confirmed that purchased software is legal and not pirated.
Tenth, “be careful when crossing the border.” Use extreme caution when dealing with software sellers in other countries. Software piracy runs rampant in some countries, and there can be substantial difficulties encountered if a foreign transaction does not proceed properly.
While the BSA’s new web site alone is not a silver bullet that will end the sale of pirated software online for all time, it’s educational tips, valuable links, and informational gathering tools are one step in the right direction.
Be careful out there!
Software
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