Computer resellers who inform Microsoft about software piracy in the sales and distribution channel are being offered rewards of up to 10% of the amount of the total damages paid by the guilty party for copyright infringements.
Mark Reynolds, group licensing compliance manager at Microsoft SA, says this is part of the company`s stated intention to bring down the high levels of piracy in the sales and distribution channel and to ensure a higher level of integrity in the reseller channel.
"Microsoft is offering a reward to people who provide the company with information that leads to a successful legal action or settlement," says Reynolds.
"People who provide us with information that leads to a successful legal action or settlement for intellectual property right infringements in the sales and distribution channel will receive up to 10% of the total damages paid for copyright infringement, up to a maximum of R25 000."
Reynolds stresses that the reward is only payable if the information "results in a successful legal action, in the form of a court judgment with damages paid or an out of court settlement for the infringement of our intellectual property rights".
He says Microsoft is hoping for a "buy-in" from computer resellers, as this type of co-operation can go a long way towards unmasking software pirates and ensuring that honest computer resellers` businesses are not jeopardised by dishonest resellers.
"It is easy to report incidents of software piracy in the sales and distribution channel, as people can visit our Web site. They can also view the terms and conditions that allow them to qualify for the rewards programme."
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