Pirate software

[Jerry]

I used to work at a business that has illegal copies of
windows and office. They have:
9 illegal copies of windows 2000
1 illegal copy of windows xp
8 illegal copies of office 2000
2 illegal copies of office xp
2 illegal copies of office 2003

I need to know how to turn them in anonymously. I don't
want to just email someone at MS and hope something gets
done. I want a software audit person to show up at this
place of business and bust them. I thought I read about a
program that MS has that allows employees to anonymously
turn in their place of work. Anyone know what I need to do
to make sure a software audit professional shows up there
and busts them. The owners there seem to think they are
above the law and this is the reason why I quit working for
them. Please help me bust these people and give them what
they have coming.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Jerry

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Jerry

Try here:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx

 

[Guest]

You can report them anonymously, but if you do that, there's very little
chance that Microsoft will be able to act on the tip. They would have no way
to get a court to give them permission to perform an audit as they can't
prove that it's an employee with accurate information or if it's a
disgruntled customer whose just making accusations in hopes of making things
difficult for the company. For all the court knows it could be some kid
making a prank for that matter.

In order for Microsoft to act on a tip, they'll need your name and
information on how you know that the copies are in fact illegal. Then they'll
need to be able to take that information to a judge and get permission to
search the company for illegal software. Depending on what state you reside
in and what the judge decides, the company would likely have to be shown who
is accusing the company when the warrant is executated.

All that would only become relevant if Microsoft decides to pursue the case
against the company. With the small number of licenses you're talking about,
they may decide it's not worth their time and the possible bad press to
pursue the matter. They may decide that the company using the illegal
software is of no consequence at all and may do nothing (say the company is
providing support for the products and only using the illegal copes as a
reference, for example). They may decide to offer the company a chance to buy
the licenses and avoid any ugliness at all. Many of these possibilites put
you out there as a whistle blower and the company won't even see any ill
effects.

If you're going to do something like this, it's usually best to do it from
afar and be working somewhere else before you start the proces. There's a lot
of chance for it to get ugly and point right back at you, which would put you
in a very bad situation.

 

[JeezLouize]

They'll know who did it. Make it worth your while, go to MS and
ask for a reward.

 

[Jerry]

-----Original Message-----
You can report them anonymously, but if you do that, there's very little
chance that Microsoft will be able to act on the tip. They would have no way
to get a court to give them permission to perform an audit as they can't
prove that it's an employee with accurate information or if it's a
disgruntled customer whose just making accusations in hopes of making things
difficult for the company. For all the court knows it could be some kid
making a prank for that matter.

In order for Microsoft to act on a tip, they'll need your name and
information on how you know that the copies are in fact illegal. Then they'll
need to be able to take that information to a judge and get permission to
search the company for illegal software. Depending on what state you reside
in and what the judge decides, the company would likely have to be shown who
is accusing the company when the warrant is executated.

I see your point. I still have friends that currently work
there in the shop and that's why I didn't want the company
to know who did it. Knowing them, those employees that are
my friends would have a hard time or get let go. So if I
did go ahead I see your point that anon probably wouldn't
work. I have alot to consider here.

All that would only become relevant if Microsoft decides to pursue the case
against the company. With the small number of licenses you're talking about,
they may decide it's not worth their time and the possible bad press to
pursue the matter. They may decide that the company using the illegal
software is of no consequence at all and may do nothing (say the company is
providing support for the products and only using the illegal copes as a
reference, for example). They may decide to offer the company a chance to buy
the licenses and avoid any ugliness at all. Many of these possibilites put
you out there as a whistle blower and the company won't even see any ill
effects.

I didn't realize to was so involved. You make some great
points and in the end most likely I'll just get a bad name
and they'll get a slap on the wrist.

If you're going to do something like this, it's usually best to do it from
afar and be working somewhere else before you start the proces. There's a lot
of chance for it to get ugly and point right back at you, which would put you
in a very bad situation.

That makes sense to wait a while if I decide to go ahead. I
will heed your words and glad that I can come here and get
another perspective on it. I hadn't considered all that you
mention. It just makes me mad that companies can get away
with this stuff, but in the end I may end up the bad guy.
Thanks for all your comments.

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

Business Software Alliance is an organization that handles "piracy" issues
for the big commercial software producers, such as Microsoft and Symantec.
You can file here:

http://www.bsa.org/usa/report/

Tom
| They'll know who did it. Make it worth your while, go to MS and
| ask for a reward.
|
| | >I used to work at a business that has illegal copies of
| > windows and office. They have:
| > 9 illegal copies of windows 2000
| > 1 illegal copy of windows xp
| > 8 illegal copies of office 2000
| > 2 illegal copies of office xp
| > 2 illegal copies of office 2003
| >
| > I need to know how to turn them in anonymously. I don't
| > want to just email someone at MS and hope something gets
| > done. I want a software audit person to show up at this
| > place of business and bust them. I thought I read about a
| > program that MS has that allows employees to anonymously
| > turn in their place of work. Anyone know what I need to do
| > to make sure a software audit professional shows up there
| > and busts them. The owners there seem to think they are
| > above the law and this is the reason why I quit working for
| > them. Please help me bust these people and give them what
| > they have coming.
| > Thanks for any info you can provide.
| > Jerry
|
|

 

[Jerry]

-----Original Message-----
They'll know who did it. Make it worth your while, go to MS and
ask for a reward.

I really don't want money for this, but is there such a
thing, does ms do this?

 

[Jerry]

-----Original Message-----
Hi Jerry

Try here:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP - Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

Thanks for the link.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

I see your point. I still have friends that currently work
there in the shop and that's why I didn't want the company
to know who did it. Knowing them, those employees that are
my friends would have a hard time or get let go. So if I
did go ahead I see your point that anon probably wouldn't
work. I have alot to consider here.


I didn't realize to was so involved. You make some great
points and in the end most likely I'll just get a bad name
and they'll get a slap on the wrist.


That makes sense to wait a while if I decide to go ahead. I
will heed your words and glad that I can come here and get
another perspective on it. I hadn't considered all that you
mention. It just makes me mad that companies can get away
with this stuff, but in the end I may end up the bad guy.
Thanks for all your comments.

Which you probably were anyway because they sacked you, right?! I know what
this is - they sacked you and you, instead of taking it down the proper
unfair dismissal channel (you obviously feel it is), decide do your 'civic
duty'.

Go on, tell me I'm wrong...

 

[Michael Stevens]

I really don't want money for this, but is there such a
thing, does ms do this?

No.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Greg R]

All you will do is cause your friends to get fired. How do you know
they copies are illegal?

I know Microsoft has special licenses for non-for profit agencies.
The sell it to them at a reduce rate. This place orders it directly
from Microsoft.





Greg R