Industry news

Microsoft tackles piracy

IT software giant Microsoft has launched a new anti-piracy campaign to combat the illegal use of its products, it has been reported.

A three-pronged approach to tackle the piracy of its software has been launched by the firm, which believes the illegal use of its software cost it $48 billion (£24 billion) last year, according to the Hindu Business Line.

The firm believes cutting piracy rates by one-tenth would create 44,000 jobs, $200 million in tax revenues and $3.1 billion in growth.

Mr Vipul Sant, Microsoft India's director, told the publication: "Our endeavour is to work with customers, businesses and partners to drive awareness of piracy as an issue, and to educate them on how they can work on minimising this menace."

He added that in a bid to reduce piracy rates, the firm had increased access to software online and via the telephone.

A new campaign was launched in Manchester recently in order to raise awareness of the city's businesses' illegal use of pirate software.