Compass joins anti-piracy drive

Kolkata: In a bid to promote ethical trading and use of original software, Compass has recently undertaken a series of initiative to create awareness about the use of original software.

“We have decided to promote the use of original software to stop piracy. In this initiative, all Compass members have put up stickers and plates in their showroom propagating use of original software and are informing people that they do not deal in pirated software,” said Pawan Jajodia, President, Compass.

About six months back, Microsoft had held a dealer meeting in Kolkata and issues related to piracy were discussed. It was here that it was mutually decided that if a channel partner were caught propagating pirated Microsoft software, instead of taking legal action against the accused directly or discussing the matter in court of law; Microsoft would first communicate the matter to Compass and then decide on the future course of action.

“After the decision was put in place, I received a call from a Microsoft official stating that he had got reports that dealers in Kolkata are engaging in illegal software trade. But thereafter there was no further communication and since then I have not received any reports about dealers in the region dealing in pirated software,” Jajodia concluded.

Appreciating the move, Hemant Chabria of Chabria Infotech said, “It is an appreciable move that Compass has taken and I welcome the decision. In this regard, I hope at least the consumers will be informed that using pirated software is illegal.”

Also, sources in ISODA said that soft loading by dealers has been a major problem in the city and some dealers were time and again caught by Microsoft using pirated software.

However, even as East India's premiere IT dealers' organization propagating an anti-piracy program, a few dealers here alleged that Microsoft was forcing them to buy their products.

“When a Microsoft salesperson visits our store, he literally dictates us to purchase software from him with a threat of facing dire consequences in case of refusal,” said a dealer on the condition of anonymity.

Also, some dealers here alleged that in case a channel partner is not purchasing Microsoft products from their distributors, the company is not listing the channel partner in their list of authorized dealers and is using coercive means to route their products to the dealer through the distributor.

“We suggested Microsoft to induce demo versions of their software and OS in the meeting we had six months back to boost sales and counter piracy, but no action was taken from Microsoft's end. Now, they are after the dealers to meet sales target in a market condition where Microsoft sales are low. Compass's initiative of creating awareness amidst customers to use original software has really come as a breather for us,” added another dealer on the condition of anonymity.