Victims of Auction Fraud Who Purchased Pirated Software Online Can be
Awarded up to $500 For Reporting Counterfeit Sellers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Software &
Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association
for the software and digital information industries, today announced that
it is re-launching its successful "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" anti-piracy
campaign in its fight to help protect consumers who purchased illegal
software online. The campaign allows buyers who purchased counterfeit
software on auction websites such as eBay to get even with a fraudulent
seller by reporting them to SIIA, which will then pay them up to $500 to
purchase a legitimate copy of the software.
"Auction sellers who sell pirated software hurt the software industry
and take advantage of innocent consumers," said Keith Kupferschmid, Senior
Vice President for Intellectual Property Policy & Enforcement. "The 'Don't
Get Mad, Get Even' program gives consumers a way to retaliate against
online auction sellers who duped them into buying pirated software.
"Not only does this program help us identify illegal software sellers,
but it sends a powerful message to auction site pirates. After SIIA
Launched the first campaign last year, sales of software on eBay dropped by
33 percent. In addition to protecting consumers, this program will help
SIIA put fraudulent sellers out of business, and make potential pirates
think twice," Kupferschmid added.
The "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" campaign will run from September 8, 2008,
to October 31, 2008. In order to participate, individuals who have
inadvertently purchased pirated software on an auction site must complete
an online application and submit it to SIIA by no later than 5 p.m. EST on
October 31, 2008. Those who satisfy all eligibility requirements necessary
to participate in the program will be eligible to receive up to $500 from
SIIA. The payment is intended to encourage the buyer to replace the
counterfeit software with a legitimate copy, though consumers are free to
use the money as they see fit.
"While the 'Don't Get Mad, Get Even' program gives consumers a way to
fight back, it does not solve the problem," Kupferschmid continued. "eBay
and other auction sites must do more to stop counterfeit sellers. Until
auction sites take the steps needed to solve the problem, SIIA will
continue to take the lead in protecting consumers and the software
industry."
This program is part of an SIIA effort to combat online auction piracy.
SIIA continues to sue sellers of counterfeit and illegal OEM and academic
software through its Auction Litigation Program. SIIA has also published
software buying guides that teach consumers the tricks used by unscrupulous
sellers to lure them into buying illegal software and to instruct them on
what questions to ask so they can avoid buying illegal software. Late last
year, SIIA launched its ground-breaking Certified Software Reseller (CSR)
Program(TM). Through this program, SIIA has, for the first time, begun
certifying online vendors to resell software on eBay and other auction
sites.
A list of qualifying conditions is posted at
http://www.siia.net/piracy/dgmge/
Full program terms and conditions are posted on the SIIA website at
http://www.siia.net/piracy/DGMGE_rules.pdf
About SIIA
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal
trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA
provides global services in government relations, business development,
corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 500
leading software and information companies. For further information, visit
http://www.siia.net.
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Keith Kupferschmid
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=40837
SOURCE Software & Information Industry Association
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Related links:
http://www.siia.net
CONTACT:
Eileen Bramlet of SIIA Communications,
ebramlet@siia.net; or Beth Dozier of Rational PR,
+1-202-429-1833, bethdozier@rationalpr.com, for SIIA
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