Computers
6 October 2009Accidental piracy
Some months ago, a member bought Microsoft Office Enterprise Edition for his business. It ran OK for a month – and then stopped working. Our member then went to activate his software on Microsoft’s site within the 30-day activation period and found he couldn’t.
Microsoft, in an effort to curb piracy, forces you to activate some of its products within 30 days of installing them. This is how he found out he’d been sold a fake.
This copy of Microsoft Office had been bought from a small Auckland software company, which tried to pass on the blame to Microsoft. However, only a small set of authorised dealers is allowed to sell the Enterprise version of Office and this company wasn’t one of them.
More recently, another of our members bought the student/home version of Microsoft Office from Bond & Bond – and also found it to be a fake. On closer inspection it turned out that the software itself was legitimate – only the serial number was a pirated code. It’s a mystery how an invalid serial number was attached to valid software in the first place.
Our advice
When purchasing software, pay close attention to the packaging and compare it with other products on nearby shelves. If anything looks odd, don’t buy it. When buying online try to ensure the validity of the website you’re buying from before you buy. If you own a Microsoft product and aren’t sure it’s the real deal, try running an update from within the program – usually it will alert you if pirated software is found. If you do find yourself with a pirated copy, take it back immediately – whoever sold it to you must offer a refund or exchange under the Consumer Guarantees Act. You can also email nzpiracy@microsoft.com for assistance and information.
Tristan Clark - Technical Writer
Comments
You can avoid those sorts of problems, and save money at the same time, by using open source software where it's suitable for the task - and any updates or upgrades are free too, so you don't have to "buy" the software again every few years. http://www.theopendisc.com/ is a good place for Windows users to start.
Amen to that. After being a Windows jock for as long as Windows has existed as an OS I finally gave up on it all last year and started a slow migration to Ubuntu Linux. Now all 3 machines in my home are Ubuntu, which comes packaged with all the open source apps you need. In addition there are literally thousands of free and open source programs out there just waiting to be tried. My 12 year old grandson was worried about the gaming aspect when he comes to stay, but now when he is asked he just says ubuntu is way cool. I realise this path is not for everyone, but what a difference it's made for me.
I bought a dud via Trade Me, the disc looked the part and the seller denied but I contacted Trade Me and the seller disapeared of course.
I emailed the piracy address at Microsoft a couple of times and they did not even bother replying.
Yes I have downloaded Open Office and that seems to do the trick.
I endorse Peter Ballantyne's comments. I also was a Windows user for years. Three years ago I upgraded my desktop computer, only to find (expensive) XP Pro would no longer work. Microsoft said I had to buy a new copy. This was the catalyst I needed and I migrated to Ubuntu Linux. I've never looked back, and because all the software is free I am financially better off too.
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