Bangkok--2 Jul--Hill & Knowlton A recent survey commissioned by Microsoft to gauge the extent of piracy in Bangkok revealed that 97% of retailers in major IT malls in Bangkok are guilty of “hard disk loading,” a practice which includes installation of pirated software onto PCs by computer system builders. Posing as consumers interested in buying PCs and laptops, the survey team was offered a computer with pirated software pre-installed on the hard drive by 97% of the shops surveyed. Only three percent of software vendors at Panthip Plaza, Zeer Rangsit Mall and the Fortune Mall offered PCs preinstalled with genuine Microsoft products. IT City, a local Thai IT reseller chain, has recently joined Microsoft in a program to protect consumers by pledging to sell only genuine products. An executive of IT City said, “The fact that sales clerks are suggesting that people with new computers install unlicensed software illustrates the reality that shops that deal in unlicensed software do not have the consumer’s best interests at heart. Pirated software is bad for PCs and leaves security openings for viruses and worms that can cause loss of data; yet consumers think about cheap prices then deal with problems caused by pirated software later”. Microsoft provides genuine advantages to consumers who buy legitimate software products through its Windows Genuine Advantage program. Benefits of this program include regular security and technology updates and access to a multitude of features unavailable via pirated software. Additionally, with Microsoft Vista, owners of pirated software face the possibility that their PCs will go into a reduced functionality mode, during which their PC’s ability to function is severely limited. More information is available at www.microsoft.com/thailand/genuine “People who buy pirated software products have no idea of the dangers to which they are exposing themselves,” said Thitakorn Ussayaporn, OEM Director, Microsoft Thailand. “Counterfeit software can cause serious commercial and legal risks. A recent IDC study showed that pirated software can expose consumers and organizations alike to security risks including data loss, identify theft, system takeovers and costly downtimes. Recovering a single infected machine can cost thousands of Baht while the costs of lost data and reduced worker productivity can be even higher.” Khun Ussayaporn continues, “Moreover, businesses that are trying to do the right thing, such as IT City, are put in a difficult position due to the rampant nature of piracy. We would like to see consumers more aware of these dangers and we would like to see the authorities step up their efforts to crackdown on software pirates.” In an effort to level the playing field for genuine resellers as well as protect consumers in Thailand, Microsoft’s legal department will contact select software resellers to inform them of the severe risks and consequences associated with dealing in hard disk loading and pirated software.About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand . Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. For further information, please contact: Suphada Jaidee Hill & Knowlton Thailand Tel: 0-2627 3501 ext 209 Fax: 0-2627-3510 Email: [email protected] Petcharaporn Charoennibhonvani Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd. Tel: 0-2257-4817 Fax: 0-2257-0099 Email: [email protected]