by Simon Quicke24 September 2008
Microsoft has cut the price of its Office products in China by 70% in
a move to counteract the piracy problem in that country.
The vendor had success smashing a Chinese piracy ring last
year that was responsible for billions of pounds worth of illegal discs, that
were sold around the world, after a two-year campaign with the Chinese Police
and the FBI.
The latest move is aimed at reducing the temptation Chinese
pirates might have of offering cheaper alternatives to legitimate product that
has a higher price tag.
The promotion running in China reduces the cost of Office
Home and Student 2007 to around $29. In comments made to China Daily, Garth
Fort, general manager of Microsoft’s marketing division in China, said that the
company wanted “every man, woman and child” to use authentic software.
Although promotions run in the Chinese market might seem far
removed from the British channel the pirated products that have been
manufactured in China do
make their way into the UK
market.
The latest international move comes after here at home
Microsoft announced that it had taken action against repeat offender ITAC,
which had continued to trade illegally after originally being caught in 2006.
