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Microsoft Turns the Heat on Online Counterfeiters
Techtree News Staff, Dec 04, 2008 1931 hrs ISTAuction sites come under scanner
Microsoft's ongoing campaign against software counterfeiters has taken a new turn with the company targeting online auctions of its fake products.
The software major today initiated legal action against scores of people across 12 countries including the US, Germany, France, the UK, Canada and Japan, among others.
The counterfeit versions sold at online auction sites mainly concerned Microsoft Office and Windows, according to the company. Amazon.com, Craigslist, eBay, MySpace, PCWorld and PriceGrabber were some of the sites where the illegal activity took place, it added.
The latest crackdown on counterfeiters brought to light a novel modus operandi to lure gullible buyers. The scamsters announced a special edition of Microsoft software, called Blue Edition, offering it at a low price; ostensibly to clear "surplus" stock. Blue Edition is fictitious.
Complaints about this scam came directly from customers to the company when they realized their product was a counterfeit. Most of the Blue Edition cases involved customers in the US.
To determine whether the Microsoft software they buy is genuine or not, people should check with Microsoft's How To Tell site.
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The software major today initiated legal action against scores of people across 12 countries including the US, Germany, France, the UK, Canada and Japan, among others.
The counterfeit versions sold at online auction sites mainly concerned Microsoft Office and Windows, according to the company. Amazon.com, Craigslist, eBay, MySpace, PCWorld and PriceGrabber were some of the sites where the illegal activity took place, it added.
The latest crackdown on counterfeiters brought to light a novel modus operandi to lure gullible buyers. The scamsters announced a special edition of Microsoft software, called Blue Edition, offering it at a low price; ostensibly to clear "surplus" stock. Blue Edition is fictitious.
Complaints about this scam came directly from customers to the company when they realized their product was a counterfeit. Most of the Blue Edition cases involved customers in the US.
To determine whether the Microsoft software they buy is genuine or not, people should check with Microsoft's How To Tell site.
Related Links
Microsoft's New Acquisition, Yahoo Search?
'Microsoft Should Go Back to Start-up Mode'
Microsoft DirectX 10.1 Adoption Gains Pace
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