Microsoft has signed a MoU with Alibaba in China to raise awareness about risks of using pirated software among Chinese consumers. Alibaba and Microsoft are also strengthening measures to prevent pirated Microsoft products from being sold on Alibaba’s Taobao Marketplace and Tmall.com online shopping websites. The significant news from this agreement is that Alibaba has agreed to remove product listings for suspected counterfeit or unlicensed Microsoft products from Taobao Marketplace and Tmall.com when notified by Microsoft.
Microsoft and Alibaba will jointly carry out programs through Alibaba’s e-commerce properties that alert consumers to the dangers of using counterfeit and unlicensed software. Pirated software lacks safeguards against spyware, malware and viruses “that can lead to computer crashes and network system failures, loss of personal data, and sensitive business information leaks”, says Tim Cranton, Microsoft associate general counsel and chief legal counsel for Greater China.
Microsoft has also launched a flagship virtual store on Tmall.com, China’s largest B2C shopping website, to promote genuine Microsoft products.
Alibaba Group and affiliated companies including Alipay, China’s largest e-payments provider, will also provide information to consumers who mistakenly buy unauthorized and counterfeit software that will help them get their money back from sellers.
via: TP