A new SIIA white paper on Internet auction piracy, also released today, illustrates how pirates utilizing Internet auctions are turning better than a 90 percent profit margin from sales of illegitimate software, and reaching thousands of new customers at little effort or cost. Pirates also enjoy virtual anonymity through multiple screen names, and manipulate differing rules among Internet auction providers to data-mine email addresses of bidders on software auctions, creating a direct marketing channel. It also highlights the problems and risks consumers face when purchasing pirated software, such as a lack of access to manuals, tech support or upgrades, and no assurance that the software is free of crippling viruses. A four-day SIIA survey of four major Internet auction sites conducted last April showed that 91 percent of all software being auctioned was illegitimate.
Auction sites provide relative anonymity and relatively free access to thousands of customers.
It's never been easier or more profitable for pirates to sell illegitimate software - or more dangerous. SIIA is committed to increasing outreach to consumers regarding warning signs that identify sellers of pirated software. In the mean time, SIIA is in the process of filing several more suits against pirates utilizing auction sites, several as early as next week. SIIA represents more than 1,000 leading companies that develop and enable software and electronic content for business, education, consumers and the Internet. Hundreds of these companies look to SIIA Anti-Piracy to protect their intellectual property rights around the world.