Microsoft: Indians against piracy, will pay for genuine software

A recent Microsoft survey revealed that most Indians are concerned about software piracy and are willing to pay more for genuine software. Close to 2,000 Indians took part in the global privacy awareness survey of 38,000 respondents from 20 countries. The Microsoft survey demonstrates that Indians are more willing to buy original Windows and Microsoft Office products than their pirated versions.
The Microsoft report stated 86-percent of Indian respondents are ready to pay more for original, genuine software, while 79-percent believed there's a need to protect potential consumers from unknowingly buying pirated software.
Microsoft India Director for Genuine Software, Anil Varghese, stated in the Microsoft report that around 6,000 Indians reported they were unknowingly using counterfeit or pirated Microsoft products on their PCs, in the past two years. The general awareness level of Indian software buyers against the downsides of pirated software is also improving, he said.
While Microsoft has had a significant Genuine Software awareness programme for a while -- both with validating installed software and general advertising campaigns -- looking at innovative models for core, mass-market Microsoft products (Windows, Office) might help significantly. Something, perhaps, like the Windows 8 Pay As You Use model we spoke about.
Nevertheless, it's a healthy sign that the collective Indian psyche against the perils of pirated software is changing for the good.