“People who use non-genuine Microsoft Office are putting themselves at risk,” said Shahab Ahmed, Information Worker Business Group Lead, “Non-genuine software has been shown to be more vulnerable to viruses and spyware, which can be used to damage a user’s PC or steal personal information. OGA Notifications helps fight software piracy and helps customers validate that the copy of Microsoft Office installed on their computer is genuine and properly licensed. OGA is part of Microsoft’s commitment to protect our customers and partners from counterfeiters. By confirming that copy of Office is genuine, customers can take advantage of all the capabilities, support and continuous improvements that come with using genuine Office.”
Commenting on the importance of this initiative, Jawad Al-Redha, Business Software Alliance Co-Chairman in the Middle East said, “Microsoft is committed to protecting its customers and partners from counterfeit and pirated software. Counterfeit software has emerged as big business and is becoming an increasingly common way for criminals to deceive the public, and even steal personal information. By using genuine Microsoft Office, customers help avoid the risks and viruses associated with non-genuine software. Both education and engineering are integral to ensuring the use of Genuine Software in the region.”
OGA notifications is delivered as an update that the user can install voluntarily. If it finds the user has non-genuine Microsoft Office, OGA notifications presents a dialog box alert and provides the user with options to get genuine software and secure the PC. The notifications will have no impact on customers using genuine Microsoft Office and does not affect the way Microsoft Office works on individual computers. People who find they are the victim of counterfeit software can submit a report to Microsoft and may be eligible to receive a complimentary copy of Microsoft Office. Other users will choose to take advantage of the different easy purchase options online or through Microsoft resellers.
Software piracy also hurts local economies by taking business away from legitimate vendors. According to a recent Microsoft study, every U.S. dollar spent on genuine Microsoft products produces about $5 (U.S.) in value for local partners. By promoting the use of genuine Office, Microsoft is helping to create opportunities and level the playing field for partners that distribute genuine Office.
About OGA notifications
The OGA notifications program is part of Microsoft’s larger Genuine Software Initiative aimed at helping protect Microsoft’s customers and partners from counterfeiters through education, engineering and enforcement of policies and laws. In May 2008, the OGA notifications program was released in Italy, Spain, Turkey and Chile.