Open Letters To Software Companies About The Profitability of Piracy

This isn't the best of days to be sending out media requests for quotes about how the use of an auction site works well for major companies. We know that it does not necessarily work out for the authors whose ebooks are sold repeatedly.

3736 ebooks are currently being sold on iOffer.com, usually the vendors offer to email the works to up to 10 different paying customers... probably every day. However, I'd like to add a little spice to my upcoming radio show on Tuesday, so am asking Autocad, Poser, and Chief Architect how selling on iOffer is generating business for them.

Dear Mr Saeed, Mr Bliss, Ms Ha, Ms Brooks,

I am radio talk show host Rowena Cherry, and I talk about copyright infringement on my educational radio show, CRAZY TUESDAY on PIVWR. 

For my show on July 6th, I would love a quote from you about the selling of your products on the global auction site iOffer.com

I am particularly interested in whether you find the publicity profitable when individuals auction 10 copies of your product range for $40 when you sell the product for a MSRP of $3, 995

http://www.ioffer.com/i/autocad-electrical-2011-instant-delivery-149726793

As I look around iOffer.com I am impressed by how successful your authorized vendors are at selling your products at such incredible discounts.
This must be close to an example of how the "piracy model" really is a win-win situation for everyone!

If by chance these vendors on iOffer are not authorized resellers, I should love a quote from you on how you feel about iOffer.com

etc etc

Rowena Cherry

Dear Chief Architect,

I am radio talk show host Rowena Cherry, and I talk about copyright infringement on my educational radio show.
For my show on July 6th, I would love a quote from you about the selling of your products on the global auction site iOffer.com

I am particularly interested in whether you find the publicity profitable when individuals auction 10 copies of your product range for $40

http://www.ioffer.com/i/Chief-Architect-X2-Professional-3D-Home-Design-Software-144355111

As I look around iOffer.com I am impressed by how successful your authorized vendors are at selling your products at such incredible discounts.
This must be close to an example of how the "piracy model" really is a win-win situation for everyone!

If by chance these vendors on iOffer are not authorized resellers, I should love a quote from you on how you feel about iOffer.com

 etc etc
Rowena Cherry

Dear Nisha,


I am radio talk show host Rowena Cherry, and I talk about copyright infringement on my educational radio show.
For my show on July 6th, I would love a quote from you about the selling of your products on the global auction site iOffer.com

I am particularly interested in whether you find the publicity profitable when individuals auction 10 copies of your product range for $35 when you sell the product for a MSRP of $249.99

http://www.ioffer.com/i/poser-pro-v-8-2010-professional-free-shipping-144280627

As I look around iOffer.com I am impressed by how successful your authorized vendors are at selling your products at such incredible discounts.
This must be close to an example of how the "piracy model" really is a win-win situation for everyone!

If by chance these vendors on iOffer are not authorized resellers, I should love a quote from you on how you feel about iOffer.com

 :-)

There are almost a thousand Microsoft auctions going on. Here's an example of one of them (I do not recommend making a purchase, because I have a feeling Microsoft already knows about this, and it is not hard to find out who bought what on iOffer.com )

http://www.ioffer.com/i/microsoft-office-2007-pro-professional-retail-box-new-109874219


Microsoft sends thank-you notes. They are generic, but beautifully informative!

Microsoft Corporation thanks you for your recent correspondence to our Anti-Piracy team. Microsoft devotes substantial time and effort towards fighting software piracy, and we appreciate your shared interest in this cause.

Our staff promptly reviews every submission we receive, but due to the sensitive legal nature of these matters, it is not possible for us to provide feedback or updates about actions taken on your report.

Your report matters. For example, in 2007, customer reports directly contributed to the investigation and eventual prosecution of the biggest software counterfeiting operation in history.

In the Web sites below, you will find more information about Microsoft’s initiatives designed to help protect customers and fight software piracy.

• http://www.microsoft.com/genuine. Learn about some of the ways Microsoft helps protect its products from piracy and validate your Microsoft Windows and Office software.
• http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell. Learn how to identify some of the differences between genuine and counterfeit Microsoft software.
• http://www.microsoft.com/piracy. Learn about software piracy and Microsoft’s educational and enforcement efforts to combat it.
• http://www.bsa.org. The Business Software Alliance is an industry trade group that is dedicated to reducing piracy in the software industry.

Once again, we thank you for your interest and participation in fighting software piracy.

Yours sincerely,

Microsoft Corporation
Anti-Piracy Team

Please address questions or additional correspondence to piracy@microsoft.com. Note: We cannot provide information regarding individual reports or ongoing investigations.