Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Manual - Ipr-policy.eu

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and other Malware that may compromise a user’s system
which, in turn, could result in the loss or compromise of
a user’s private data.”
EDUCATION
Microsoft also provides its customers and distribution
partners with resources to help them determine if the
software is genuine. Microsoft’s Web Site, at www.microsoft.com/genuine,
provides customers with a wealth
of information about how to spot fakes. Customers and
partners can also report piracy to Microsoft by accessing
the Web at www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting,
e-mailing Microsoft at piracy@microsoft.com, or calling
the Microsoft hotline at 800-RULEGIT (785-2448).
Customer and partners’ leads are among the best ways
for Microsoft to learn about piracy and take measures to
shut it down.
ENFORCEMENT
Microsoft’s global anti-piracy enforcement strategy is
built on strong partnerships with national and local
governments around the world. To support this strategy,
Microsoft has formed a global anti-piracy team that
includes former police officers, agents, and prosecutors;
intellectual property attorneys and specialists; intelligence
analysts; paralegals; and forensic experts. This international
team, which tracks and pursues software pirates in
more than 150 countries around the world, works closely
with law enforcement on prosecuting top tier software
pirates. Along with other intellectual property companies
and industry associations, the team also collaborates with
legislators and policymakers on enacting and implementing
laws and polices around the protection of intellectual
property.
In 2007, Microsoft worked with law enforcement
authorities to bring a high-profile prosecution against
a criminal syndicate believed to be the largest software
counterfeiting organization in history. This syndicate,
based in southern China, was responsible for producing
counterfeit Microsoft software in 11 different languages
and distributing it in at least 36 countries. Microsoft
estimates that the syndicate distributed more than $2
billion worth of counterfeit software to unsuspecting
customers around the world over a five-year period. As
a result of unprecedented international cooperation between
Microsoft and U.S. and Chinese law enforcement
officials, the syndicate was raided in July 2007 at a dozen
different locations, and 25 individuals were arrested and
are now awaiting prosecution. “Microsoft is extremely
appreciative of the efforts of the U.S. and Chinese governments,
especially the U.S. FBI and the Public Security
Bureau in China, which worked so diligently to pursue
this syndicate,” says Finn.
As software piracy becomes increasingly sophisticated,
Microsoft is fighting back, applying technological innovation
to the forensics of tracking down the source
of counterfeit software. Microsoft has its own forensic
lab, not unlike the one on the popular TV series CSI.
Located in Ireland, the lab has the capability to distinguish
unique marks found on counterfeit disks and can
identify an “electronic fingerprint” for each disk. These
fingerprints enable Microsoft to trace counterfeits back
to the source of production and, in some cases, determine
how many disks were produced by the source.
Despite having the latest technologies and investigative
methods at its fingertips, and the relentless efforts of a
worldwide team to pursue software pirates, Microsoft’s
key to success in its anti-piracy efforts remains highly
dependent on strong partnerships. “There is no way
we could do this on our own, no way” says Finn. “The
partnerships with law enforcement and government officials
around the world have been absolutely critical to
the successes we have had in combating this multibillion
dollar problem. We also deeply value the support of our
partners and customers who assist us with leads and tips
to the hotline and through the Genuine Software Initiative.
While there is still much progress to be made, we
believe that by working together, we can make significant
gains against the threat of global piracy.”