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Ebay and Microsoft Fight Software Piracy

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the black-flag-off-the-port-bow-me-hearties dept.

illeism writes "E-commerce News is reporting that Microsoft is going after Ebay sellers offering pirated copies of Microsoft software. From the article 'The suits do not name eBay as a defendant and Microsoft indicated that it has received extensive cooperation from the auction giant in the past as it tried to ferret out piracy. In fact, Microsoft said it asked eBay to remove some 50,000 suspicious auctions during 2005 alone ... The suits are mainly against individuals and cover alleged counterfeit sales of several Microsoft programs, including Windows and Office XP and older versions, such as Office 2000.'" More interestingly, the article flatly states that MS has no hope of ending piracy. The suits are apparently meant to 'protect consumers'.

5 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Re:More M$ Hooey by jdreed1024 · · Score: 5, Informative
    This is analogous to a bank requiring your SS number to open an account, despite the fact that that number was meant soley for government use, and never designed for that sort of application. When asked why a SS number is required, when in fact, this requirement is illegal, bank managers invariably reply, "oh...you have every right to refuse to divulge your SS number...as we have every right to decline your account application

    I agree with most of your arguments, but that's a poor comparison. The SSN is your Tax Identification Number (and if you're a business opening a bank account, they require your company's TIN). Interest on bank accounts has to be reported to the IRS, and banks need your SSN to do it. They're one of the few places (along with any potential employer) that has a legitimate reason to ask for your SSN.

    Better examples of places that have no good reason to ask for it are your cell phone provider, electric company, cable company, etc. Yes, in some states, they can't require it and can force you to pay a deposit instead, but other states have no such protection. Even some supermarkets are asking for it for their "rewards" or "coupon" keychain tags.

    --
    There is no sig, there is only Zuul.
  2. Shill Alert by A+beautiful+mind · · Score: 3, Informative

    The article is by Laura DiDio - the SCO supporter shill.

    You get what you paid for - it's a venomous piece.

    --
    It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
    Be yourself no matter what they say
  3. Resale of OEM software by Half+a+dent · · Score: 4, Informative

    It is legal for individuals (and companies?) to re-sell OEM licenses in Europe under the 1991 European Computer Software Directive.

    Here is a link to the story:

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/08/selling_oe m_windows_copies_you/

    Europe does tend to stand up to MS no matter what Bill puts in his EULA.

  4. It might be news, but it's not new. by Peldor · · Score: 5, Informative
    I tried to list a new-in-the-box Windows NT4 CD on Ebay several years ago. It was pulled within hours with a note stating Ebay in cooperation with MS do not permit reselling of their software except by licensed parties (and so forth).

    A lot of these 50,000 'suspicious' copies are probably legitimate, you just can't sell it on Ebay because that would price the software at its true market value. First-sale doctrine, we hardly knew ye.

  5. Re:Apply the Laura DiDio Filter by davebert · · Score: 3, Informative

    Or maybe you meant GrokLaw?