Business
That student discount might just be fraudulent
Microsoft has issued more than 50 cease and desist letters in an effort to shut down alleged international software smuggling operations, reports the Seattle Times. The letters were sent to companies that that claim to be "academic resellers" in order to obtain discounts on Windows XP and Office 2003.
Microsoft has issued more than 50 cease and desist letters in an effort to shut down alleged international software smuggling operations, reports the Seattle Times.
The letters were sent to companies that that claim to be "academic resellers" in order to obtain discounts on Windows XP and Office 2003. After claiming a 10 to 15 percent reduction on the retail cost, the companies then sell the software at regular prices.
Nine lawsuits have already been filed against companies in the U.S., the Middle East and Eastern Europe, charging that they received the software under false pretense and then smuggled it into the United States.
Microsoft claims that hundreds of thousands of discounted software packages were obtained by illegal means. The company is not taking action against end users who may have obtained the software, which is labeled "Student Media" and "Not for resale."