They were getting calls from consumers complaining about the software they purchased. The survey found software products for sale online were usually copied or compiled on CDs in violation of licensing regulations. The auction houses are cooperating with the SIIA to tighten the oversight of software sales, Beruk says. Now, eBay is talking with companies and with the SIIA to develop more ways to curtail improper sales, Monahan says. Nonetheless, it remains up to consumers to make sure they are buying legitimate software, Beruk says.
Consumers have to ask the right questions.
If they see software being sold at a much lower price, they should ask the seller if it is a legal copy. Marked differences between the recommended retail price and the auction price should be a tip-off that something is amiss, Beruk says.