Educated IT market helps curb software piracy woes

CEBU, Philippines - The overwhelming turnout during the recent Windows 7 launch in the Philippines is a good indication that the country’s IT market is now more educated and aware of the negative effects of pirated software, this according to Microsoft Philippines Inc., managing director John Bessey adding that piracy no longer poses threat to Microsoft’s revenues.

“We were surprised by the demand for Windows 7 [in the Philippines] not just in number but also the good feedback for new users,” Bessey said in an interview during the formal launch of Windows 7 in Cebu.

Increasing number of users is now more aware of the threat and possible crash of their hardware if “they are using” pirated software.

Microsoft warned that if one uses pirated OS in their PCs, they are susceptible to various “viruses” that hit the World-Wide-Web every minute--because of unsecured protection it offers.

 Besides, he said Microsoft is also offering pocket-friendly licensing packages especially for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) as its way to help small businesses protect their hardware and important documents.

Microsoft reiterated its warning specifically to micro and small businesses to protect their business and computer hardware from being hit by viruses if using not licensed software.

For residential users on the other hand, employing pirated OS may expose family members especially the kids to a lot risks and most importantly to those using Internet banking and online shopping are at danger if they are using unprotected OS.

This means, that if an online shopper uses pirated OS in the hardware, he is exposing his credit card details to the world, and bound for online credit card fraud, among others.

The unresolved issue on pirated software openly available in the market is not only a problem of software developers like Microsoft, but significantly to the consumers themselves.

Meanwhile, Bessey said Microsoft is constantly providing educational awareness to the market, through its partner resellers around the Philippines, in promoting the use of genuine software.

Unlike the Windows Vista, the Windows 7 introduction has made a hit in the Philippine market, because of its WindowsXP mode feature, while large number of Filipinos is XP savvy-users, and other efficiency features.

Together with the Windows 7, Microsoft also launched Windows Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Exchange 2010, in Cebu.

This new wave of products is specifically designed to enable organizations to tackle their most pressing challenges and strengthen their ability to deliver value to their customers amid the difficult business climate.