On Apr 01, 2010, Microsoft release an update on their Worldwide work on Software Piracy. On their website, they identified five myths about this phenomenon. Here are the myths and the corresponding answer that Microsoft provided.

Myth #1: Software piracy isn't a serious crime. What's the big deal?

The reality is that it is a far cry from copying a CD or DVD, which looks harmless, to watching criminals set up their own manufacturing plants and distributing software through the Internet around the world. This can be especially true in countries that have poorly enforced intellectual property laws.

Myth #2: Software piracy doesn't hurt anyone. It's not like anyone has ever been seriously injured, right?

There are several serious problems that comes from downloading or buying hard copies of pirated software. One is that they are at risk of receiving inferior products; some may leave the users open to viruses, spyware and other malware. Users may expose themselves to potential identity theft from transactions occurring from unscrupulous businesses selling counterfeit software. Maybe users will lost their Windows 7 password, because others can reset Windows 7 password easily in counterfeit Microsoft Windows operating system and don't require some Windows 7 password recovery ( Windows 7 password reset ) tool.

Myth#3: Pirated software is cheaper than genuine software.

Many times there is no difference in price in high-quality counterfeit software and the real thing. In some situations it can even be more expensive than the genuine product. On the other hand, lower-quality counterfeit may be cheaper, but if the risk of loss of privacy on personal information is great, the cheap software is suddenly expensive software.

Myth#4: People who purchase counterfeit software are aware the product is pirated - they are just trying to get a good deal.

The majority of consumers who purchase counterfeit software may not aware they are buying pirated software. A high-quality counterfeit product can closely resemble the real one. The best protection against counterfeit software is to research the product, so you know how to identify the product before you go shopping.

Myth#5: Software piracy is so rampant - what can you do? It's not like consumers have the power to stop these software pirates.

Not true. Microsoft feels that its customers are vital to the anti-piracy initiatives it has put forth.Thousands of enforcement actions have resulted from consumer tips and reports. In the past two years, Microsoft has witnessed an increase in the number of voluntary reports, as many as 150,000, from consumers who purchased counterfeit software and it turned out to be counterfeit and there after reported it.