It is no secret that one of the biggest challenges for software publishers is getting people to pay for their products as opposed to copying or downloading them for free. Due to the nature of software, it is almost impossible to code a game or application that is 100 percent pirate proof.
While many pirates download or copy games themselves, in SA this is a relatively small portion of gamers.
A far bigger concern is resellers who target mainstream consumers by selling pirated games. Unlike the DIY pirates that download their own games and are limited to people with an understanding of torrent sharing, ISO loading and installing cracks, organized resellers reach ignorant parents and kids who are often unaware that they are partaking in piracy.
With this in mind, SAFact (Southern African Federation Against Copyright Theft) in collaboration with SARS (South African Revenue Services) and various local software companies such as Microsoft, has embarked on a nationwide piracy cleanup program.
Last week hundreds of counterfeit Xbox 360 games were seized by customs officials during a raid on Brightwater Commons in Randburg. Charl Potgieter of Bowman Gilfillan, who accompanied SARS officials and representatives of SAFACT on the raid, said there was clear evidence that piracy of games, software and music was on the increase in South Africa.
“Right now, we’re seeing a growing wave of counterfeit software from organised criminal syndicates in the Far East,” said Potgieter. “We suspect that many international crime organisations are now involved in counterfeiting to some degree – which effectively means that people who buy pirated goods are funding organised crime.”
Although no arrests were made in the unannounced raids at Brightwater Commons, investigations into the origin of the goods is continuing.
As part of its ongoing anti-piracy operations, software maker Microsoft this month launched a campaign across KwaZulu-Natal.
Charl Everton, the anti-piracy manager at Microsoft South Africa, says the campaign is part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of piracy of all kinds. She says the Internet is emerging as a major avenue of trade for fake goods, pinpointing auction sites as particularly useful for counterfeiters.
The campaign includes “mystery shopper” visits to more than 250 computer dealers across the province, the launch of a “clean dealer” certification and an education programme to alert consumers to the dangers of fake software and highlight the value of the genuine article for consumers.
Part of the problem is that these organizations are often glorified by consumers.
“We need to change the perception that these guys are modern-day Robin Hoods,” says Everton. “This isn’t a case of taking money out of Bill Gates’ pocket to help the poor consumer, as the refrain often goes. Our investigations show that software piracy funds bigger criminal operations that affect each and every one of us at the end of the day.”
Microsoft is dedicated to working alongside SAFACTact and SARS in a bid to shut down illegal operations which sell counterfeit software.
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