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Business Software Alliance Recognizes Amazon.com for Anti-Piracy Efforts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Amazon.com, one of the world's largest online retailers, has been recognized by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) for its proactive efforts to curb the sale and distribution of pirated and counterfeit software programs through internet auction sites. The BSA commends Amazon.com for its commitment to protecting consumers from acquiring infringing software programs, promoting a culture that respects intellectual property rights, and contributing to the development of model business practices that promote legitimate software sales.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amazon.com is the first auction site to meet the standards set out in the BSA's Model Business Practices on Intellectual Property for Internet Auction Sites.
  • The BSA's Model Business Practices aim to protect consumers from acquiring infringing software programs and promote an internet culture that respects intellectual property rights.
  • Amazon.com has implemented comprehensive policies and practices to prevent the sale of pirated software, including prohibiting sellers from offering infringing software, actively reviewing its site to identify and terminate infringing auctions, and posting educational messages on its site.
  • The BSA estimates that over 90% of software sold on auction sites is pirated, resulting in $13 billion in lost revenues annually for the industry.
  • The Federal Trade Commission has identified online auction fraud as one of the top ten online scams, and the BSA has filed lawsuits and taken enforcement actions against individuals selling pirated software on popular auction sites.
  • Each of the 13 defendants in the US face damages of up to $150,000 per work infringed.

Statistics:

  • $19.5 billion: estimated value of online sales, including auctions, worldwide during the 2000 holiday season.
  • 55 million: estimated number of Americans expected to shop online during the 2000 holiday season.
  • 90%: estimated percentage of software sold on auction sites that is pirated.
  • $13 billion: estimated cost of lost revenues to the industry annually due to software piracy.
  • Up to $150,000: damages per work infringed faced by each of the 13 defendants in the US.

Sources:

  • Business Software Alliance (BSA) - "Model Business Practices on Intellectual Property for Internet Auction Sites"
  • Interview with Patty Smith, Amazon.com spokeswoman
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Announcement on Internet Auction Fraud
  • Business Software Alliance (BSA) - Press release on lawsuits and enforcement actions in the US, UK, and Germany
  • Business Software Alliance (BSA) - Report on software piracy and lost revenues to the industry.

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