More Tricks Than Treats in Pirated Software

Microsoft Corp. is helping protect consumers and businesses from the dangers of “trick” software — counterfeit software disguised as genuine — and is working to take the economic advantage out of dealing in pirated software. To help consumers avoid being tricked into using pirated software, Microsoft has set up a Web site (http://www.howtotell.com) to help them avoid deals that seem “too good to be true” and learn how to spot the differences between genuine and non-genuine software. These “How to Tell” tips are part of Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative, a three-pronged program that addresses software piracy by promoting education for consumers and partners, seeking engineering solutions to dissuade pirates, and taking enforcement actions to protect honest software vendors.