Use only genuine software, Microsoft and IPO urge business sector
May Rivera Moreno, Windows business group lead shares the values of using genuine software.
MANILA, Philippines—Microsoft, together with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), called on the public and the business sector to use only genuine software in their computers in support of the “Play Fair Day” global initiative held last November 17 to promote the use of legal software.
Celina S. Conti, the Genuine Software Initiative Lead of Microsoft, cited a study commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by Harrison Group that found large differences in performance, security, and productivity between fake pirated software and genuine software.
One out of four pirated softwares became infected with viruses upon installation, the study said.
When compared to computers with pirated software, computers with genuine software performed faster during boot-up, in opening documents, opening programs, and loading popular internet pages that were text and image-heavy.
The power consumption of computers with genuine software was found to be much lower compared to computers with pirated software, leading to longer battery life and energy savings.
“Genuine users enjoy a safer experience… superior performance and productivity… [and] get power consumption benefits” than counterfeit users, Conti said in her presentation.
Microsoft and the IPO both said that using genuine software is also beneficial for the economy because pirated software takes away income that could have gone to businesses selling genuine software.
“Software piracy is something that we all are battling and this has global and local economic strains on the people,” Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor, Director General of the IPO said in a statement.
Deputy Director General Allan Gepty of the IPO also called on people to buy and use genuine software because it is the right thing to do. He also warned businesses using pirated software that they could lose their business if they were found to be using pirated software.
Microsoft cited one case wherein an ad agency in Cebu got more customers because they used genuine software. “They were perceived as more trustworthy,” May Rivera Moreno, Windows Business Group Lead said.
“We at Microsoft aim to educate consumers and businesses alike on the possible threats in using pirated software that can reduce and stifle innovation,” John Bessey, Managing Director of Microsoft Philippines said in a statement.
“We will continue to partner with the government and trade organizations to help curb software piracy in the Philippines,” he said.
