Software piracy is the unauthorized copying of software. The software is then given or sold to an unlicensed user, who is left with illegal, often defective software. To help combat the problem, you can report it directly to the developer or to an industry group. The following is a guide on how to report software piracy.
Report software piracy to Microsoft.
Contact Microsoft via an Internet form, email, or phone.
- Only do this if the software was made by Microsoft.
- For the Internet form, visit it at the following URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/cfr/report.aspx.
- To contact Microsoft via email, use the following email address: piracy@microsoft.com.
- To contact Microsoft via phone, call (800) RU-LEGIT.
Describe the software piracy to Microsoft.
- Upon notification of the software piracy, they may send a letter to the suspected offender stating the allegations.
- Microsoft may send a secret shopper to verify that the suspected offender is engaging in software piracy.
- You may be contacted for further information.
- Microsoft may send a cease and desist letter to the suspected offender.
- Microsoft may take legal action against the suspected offender.
Report software piracy to Adobe.
Complete the form on the following URL:
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/reportform.html.
- Only do this if the software was made by Adobe.
Report software piracy to Borland.
Contact Borland by phone, email, or an Internet form.
- Only do this if the software was made by Borland.
- To contact Borland by phone, call (800) 552-5888 (in the US) or 1+512-340-7081 (outside the US).
- To contact Borland by email, send an email to reportpiracy@borland.com.
Provide details about the case to Borland.
- Provide the offending company’s name, address, and phone number.
- Provide the name of a contact person at the offending company.
- Provide a reason why you suspect software piracy.
- Provide the name of the pirated product(s).
- Provide the number of suspected illegal installations.
- Provide your name (optional).
- Provide your phone number (optional).
Report software piracy to Intuit.
Report suspected cases of software piracy online through the Intuit website.
Only do this if the software is developed by Intuit.
Report software piracy to Oracle.
Email a description of the case to piracy@oracle.com.
- Only do this if the software was made by Oracle.
Report software piracy to the Business Software Alliance.
Report the case of software piracy by visiting the following URL:
https://reporting.bsa.org/usa/report/add.aspx?.
Contact (888) NO-PIRACY if you have any questions about reporting software piracy (optional).
Report software piracy to the Software and Information Industry Association.
Visit the following URL on your web browser:
http://www.siia.net/piracy/report/soft/.
Select the type of software piracy that you want to report.
Follow the instructions that are given.
Call (800) 388-7478 to report the issue (optional).
- Only do this if you prefer not to do so on the Internet.
Report software piracy to the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST).
Report the case of software piracy at the following URL:
http://www.fast.org/reporting-piracy.
If you have any questions about how to report software piracy, call +44 (0) 1628 640060 or email fast@fast.org.
Tips
- If the developer of the software that you believe has been pirated is not listed in this guide, you may report the case to 1 of the industry groups that is listed. These are the Business Software Alliance, the Software and Information Industry Association, and the Federation Against Software Theft.
- If you were instructed to install and/or use pirated software by your employer, you can likely report the illegal use of the software without facing any legal consequences, as the employer is generally liable for such actions. However, it is best to verify the laws that apply in your location.
- If you engage in software piracy, the maximum penalty in the United States is a fine of up to $250,000 and 5 years in prison. If you are outside of the United States, the penalties may be different.