Microsoft and piracy in SA

[rpm]

Microsoft and software piracy in South Africa

With over 30% of software being pirated in South Africa, the impact on legitimate resellers is significant says Microsoft SA

 

[NomNom]

Because the software is too expensive for people to afford.

 

[Nerfherder]

There are no legitimate resellers in SA only thieving middlemen.

 

[LazyLion]

Wait, you mean you can actually buy this software in SA?

Why?

 

[Anony-mousse]

lol

 

[Sodan]

Our company has contacted various M$ reps 5 times now trying to get a license for MSSQL Server. No one knows how to get a license. Literally. No one.

So I'm sorry Ms Melanie Botha, but I strongly suspect it's the incompetence of your resellers that's costing them millions a month.

 

[Kenny]

I say bring the prices down first, then we will talk...

 

[roughiain]

My problem is they treat us like second class citizens we have half the number of products compared to the US and UK.

But saying that just bought home office and student family pack today - would have gone for MS Office University but could not find it anywhere. Goes for $99 in the states and has the works access ect..

 

[Diplos]

Our company has contacted various M$ reps 5 times now trying to get a license for MSSQL Server. No one knows how to get a license. Literally. No one.

So I'm sorry Ms Melanie Botha, but I strongly suspect it's the incompetence of your resellers that's costing them millions a month.

+1000

Complicated licensing to start with, further complicated by incompetence.

 

[ReBeL25]

Sodan I would suggest calling BCX (business connexion) maybe they can help as they are MS partners.

 

[twhitehead]

So drop your price by 60%, and more of us will buy the legitimate copies, and Microsoft will make the same amount of money.

Of course the 70% pirated software is not, as they try to make out, software that pirates have sold to customers at a profit, but mostly software that individuals have copied at no cost to anyone. If they were forced to actually pay for the software, a significant proportion would go without, or switch to cheaper alternatives. (Linux, Open Office etc).

 

[Mineer]

I have been pirating for years on end but I always said once I could afford these applications I will pay for them finally made good on that promise starting with win7 last year and MS office about a month back, still need to find the money for coral draw but hoping I can do that also soon

 

[roughiain]

Microsoft should do a "get legal promotion" in conjunction with MYBB get 40% off ect limited time only - and in todays other news the rand traded at 1:1 to the dollar...

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Because the software is too expensive for people to afford.

Cars are also too expensive but still does not justify theft.

 

[StonerStuart]

I have had computers for many years now, and every single one was running pirated sofware. who has that type of cash for software??? seriously!!!

the only reason im using legit software now is because it came with my laptop, and the only reason i have legit Office now is because my company has some sort of deal with microsoft, where they sell office to their employees for R80. and not the basic office, this one im running is 2010 pro + for 80 bucks, come on everyone can afford that, there would be absolutely no reason for piracy if the prices were much lower!

 

[Isengard]

Our company has contacted various M$ reps 5 times now trying to get a license for MSSQL Server. No one knows how to get a license. Literally. No one.

So I'm sorry Ms Melanie Botha, but I strongly suspect it's the incompetence of your resellers that's costing them millions a month.

Try http://www.comztek.com/ they are a certified Microsoft partner and will likely be able to help you.

 

[roughiain]

I have had computers for many years now, and every single one was running pirated sofware. who has that type of cash for software??? seriously!!!

the only reason im using legit software now is because it came with my laptop, and the only reason i have legit Office now is because my company has some sort of deal with microsoft, where they sell office to their employees for R80. and not the basic office, this one im running is 2010 pro + for 80 bucks, come on everyone can afford that, there would be absolutely no reason for piracy if the prices were much lower!

+1000

 

[optel]

Make windows XP and other old products freeware. Then we’ll have money for the new stuff.

 

[NomNom]

Cars are also too expensive but still does not justify theft.

I didn't say that it's justified, I merely stated a contributing reason to piracy.

 

[MickZA]

Of course the 70% pirated software is not, as they try to make out, software that pirates have sold to customers at a profit, but mostly software that individuals have copied at no cost to anyone. If they were forced to actually pay for the software, a significant proportion would go without, or switch to cheaper alternatives. (Linux, Open Office etc).

Which in turn ensures that legal copies of Microsoft products are purchased by the companies these individuals work for as MS is all they know.