"You might think software theft hurts only those of us who create software. But the truth is, the damage goes much further, impacting jobs, wages, taxes, and retail sales right in your community. In addition, organizations of all kinds now face a host of serious technical and legal problems with counterfeit or stolen software - often without their knowledge.

And, as more software is produced, more is pirated each year. It is simply wrong.

We want to provide you with reliable information on how to protect your organization, how to recognize software theft when you see it, and how to take action when you need to. I hope you find it helpful. Let's work together to reduce piracy and its harm to us all."

Steve Ballmer
President
Microsoft Corporation

1. The 27% piracy rate in the United States costs the economy 130,000 jobs per year.
2. Software piracy costs the U.S. economy $5.3 billion in lost wages and nearly $1 billion in lost tax revenue.
3. Software piracy costs the U.S. distribution channel over $500 million in lost revenue.
4. More than 50% of the jobs lost to software piracy were lost in the channel.

Get started by asking yourself these simple questions:

1. Do you have a license for all software applications installed on all of your computers?
2. Did you know that purchasing illegal software could result in computer viruses that could shut down your computer or network?
3. Have you ever checked the software installed on your computers against actual licenses within the past 6 months?

1. Call (815)-260-0759 if you think you or your organization has been victimized by software pirates.
2. Be part of the solution! Email exsoft@mindless.com or call (815)-260-0759 to report software piracy.