Thanks to the popularity of online auction sites, it has never been easier to find great deals. But great deals do not always represent fair or legal sales. Consumers should beware: When it comes to software purchases, you may be getting less than what you bargained for with that supposed �steal.�

Cheap, pirated and counterfeit software abounds in the online marketplace. To help address the problem, Microsoft Corp. today announced it has filed eight lawsuits against sellers who Microsoft alleges sold counterfeit Microsoft� software using eBay auctions. These eight cases reflect the company�s ongoing efforts to protect its legitimate business partners and customers from dishonest business practices and the risks associated with pirated and counterfeit software.

�Online auction sites are an excellent way for people from around the world to buy and sell goods,� said Matt Lundy, attorney at Microsoft. �We strongly believe in the convenience and global reach of the virtual marketplace. Unfortunately, a number of online sellers are undermining trust in the system by using the Internet to hawk illegal products to unsuspecting consumers. Microsoft is committed to protecting our customers and technology partners from unscrupulous sellers through customer education and enforcement in appropriate cases. By filing these lawsuits, we hope that auction purchasers will understand that software offers are not always what they appear to be.�