22/2/007

Final for dissemination

Order Original Microsoft software on the phone or online

Microsoft expands original software availability to over 1068 Indian cities

New Delhi, February 22nd, 2007: Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. today announced that consumersand small business can now order original software either on the telephone or online. This has been made possible through partnerships with Indiatimes.com and Redington and is aimed at providing customers with easier and greater access to original software.As a result, Microsoft’soriginal software will now be available across 1068 Indian cities. Customers can pay for their software through credit card, cheque, draft or wallet365.

The initiative is part of Microsoft’s ongoing program to provide consumers with easier and greater access to originalsoftware and help businesses andindividuals deal effectively with piracy issues. This channel will complement Microsoft’s existing distribution network spanning 30cities.

Microsoft also announced the launch of a revamped original Microsoft software website - A part of Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative, this website informs the users on the benefitsof original software and serves as a one-stop resource for home users and businesses buying software - right from providing information on how they can differentiate original software from pirated, to giving multiple purchase options.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Brian Campbell, Director - Genuine Software Initiative, Microsoft Corporation IndiaPvt. Ltd.said, “One of the biggest blocksto using original software is lack of access, especially in a country like India with its geographical spread. The launch of this initiative, will not only provide customers with much needed access to original software, but as a filter down effect, it will also cause customers to ask for, and sellers to be more likely to provide, original Microsoft software.”

“The purchase and use of original software will allow our users to be protected from the potential threats such as malware, which arise from the use of pirated software,” Mr. Campbell further added.

Microsoft’s unique initiative to provide software online and telephonically is an attempt to educate discerning consumers about the value of original and provide them with new channels to access it.Specifics of the two modes of delivery are –

  • Buy Online –Customers can order retail packs of original Microsoft software from the e- shop that can be accessed at Customers can pay by credit card, cheque, draft or wallet365. Moreover, customers buying through a credit card can pay in three months equated installments, with no interest
  • Dial-A-Software –Customers can call-in at and get Retail Packs of original Microsoft software delivered to their home/office. This facility is currently available in eight cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Microsoft has plans to extend this to more cities in the next few months

Talking about the initiative,Mr. Gautam Hukku, GeneralManager, Redington said, “Innumerableconsumers and businesses are hurt by counterfeit software that they have acquired unwittingly, and many companies that license legitimate software have difficulty competing with artificially low prices offered by software pirates. By partnering with Microsoft in this initiative, we hope to assist in breaking the nexus of pirates and counterfeiters which is damaging to organizations as well as individuals”.

By using original Microsoft software, home users & businesses can be confident that they will have access to the latest features, security, and support, which will help to improve their productivity and expand the capabilities of their PC. Userswill also have access to new innovations and offerings available only to original Microsoft software customers. Microsoft is committed to protecting its customers and partners from pirated software, through a long term sustained program spanning education, engineering, and enforcement.

Commenting on the online availability of original software, Mr. Sharat Dhall, Vice President (Ecommerce), Times Internet Ltd said,“The Web has emerged as a powerful medium today, and we are seeing it being used increasingly by homes and businesses alike. Making original software available online provides a tremendous fillip to users’ ability to access the product by expanding the reach to over 1000 towns, and this increased access will definitely reduce piracy levels in India.”

About Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative

Microsoft India has a holistic program to address the rampant piracy in India. Key components of this are -

Education: Microsoft is raising awareness among customers and resellers about the risks of counterfeit & pirated software to enable them to better protect themselves and ensure that their software licensing is in order. Microsoft Web sites such as How to Tell, at provide detailed information and examples of counterfeit software. As a part of this, Microsoft is promoting comprehensive education and awareness programs including -

  • WGA Notifications - A service aimed at educating customers using non-genuine copies of Windows
  • How to Tell - A detailed website about how to identify and locate pirated or counterfeit software
  • Software Asset Management (SAM) telecalling engine – A method of taking the customer through streamlining his software expenses and reaching the optimal software configuration based on the size of the organization
  • Channel Association Initiative - Microsoft, along with various Channel Associations across cities organizes promotional campaigns targeted at both end-users and channel partners
  • Channel Education Campaign - Along with various out-reach programs, there are various channel programs successfully run by Microsoft to educate the partners about its products, technologies and licensing
  • In-House Training program for SBC partners – Microsoft programmatically conducts in-house training programs for system builders and channel partners to educate them about its products, licensing and technologies

Engineering: Microsoft is continuing to invest in anti-counterfeiting technologies and product features that protect its intellectual property and alert consumers to the presence of counterfeit software. These technologies include improvements in programs such as Windows Genuine Advantage. Microsoft has introduced a wide array of sophisticated anti-counterfeiting features, including

  • Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
  • Edge to Edge Hologram
  • Product Activation
  • Windows Genuine Advantage

Enforcement: MS ensures a level playing field for all its system builder partners. The drive against dishonest system builders is an effort in the same direction. The program is aimed at system builders indulging in hard-disk loading and other forms of piracy.

About Microsoft India

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software-any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft Corporation India Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation USA. It has had a presence in India since 1990 and currently has offices in nine cities - Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad.

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