The businesses, located in the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas, allegedly persisted in the practice despite requests from Microsoft that they stop. Piracy creates an uneven playing field that undermines the ability of honest resellers to compete. We take this responsibility seriously, because piracy not only harms consumers, but also has a grave impact on state and local economies. Anti-piracy efforts in Florida and the South have stepped up in recent months. Both companies are subject to criminal penalties for trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Software piracy has a severe negative impact on state and local economies across the country.
Consumers are urged to consider the warning signs of counterfeit software and exercise cautious shopping practices to help ensure that the software they acquire is genuine. Avoid online distributors that are unable to provide adequate descriptions of their return service or warranty policies. Be cautious of online distributors that offer unusual inventory explanations such as special deals with the software publisher, liquidated inventories or acquisition through bankruptcy sales. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.