Less than one week after IDC released a study* sponsored by Microsoft Corp. detailing the risks of using counterfeit software, and six weeks after Microsoft released its own forensic analysis of counterfeit discs, Microsoft announced a series of criminal and civil actions taken against alleged dealers of counterfeit software around the world. Today’s announcement marks the largest enforcement effort by Microsoft and the first time the company has focused its efforts worldwide to bring legal action against online dealers. The 55 legal actions include 15 in the United States, 10 in Germany, 10 in the Netherlands, five in France and five in the United Kingdom, as well as proceedings in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Korea, Mexico and Poland.

The cases are against sellers who allegedly have misused their eBay or other auction-site accounts to sell counterfeit software to unsuspecting consumers and businesses. Many of the defendants received warnings for infringing behavior before the legal action, including written cease and desist orders and/or removal of their auctions by the online host. In each case subsequent investigation and/or test purchases revealed copyright and trademark infringement by the defendant seller.

Many of the allegedly infringing sellers were identified through tips submitted from consumers through Microsoft’s Windows® Genuine Advantage (WGA) program. As part of the WGA, consumers can verify whether their Microsoft® software is genuine, and in the process receive product downloads, Windows updates and other special offers. The WGA program is designed to differentiate the value of genuine Windows software from non-genuine, and to educate consumers about the potential risks associated with counterfeit software. More program information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/genuine.