Singapore - November 9, 2001 -- The trade in illegally pirated CDs was dealt a severe blow last month when Singapore police seized one of the largest hauls of pirated computer software. More than 4,000 pirated copies of Microsoft products were seized in seven raids across Singapore. Eighty per cent of the pirated CDs were of Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows XP (both the Home and Professional versions). These CDs were selling for between S$5 to S$10 per copy. The genuine editions of Windows XP retail at S$389 and S$569 for Windows XP Home and Professional editions respectively. Microsoft's Corporate Attorney, Katharine Bostick said the pirates were hoping to exploit the worldwide advertising and marketing effort for Windows XP. The new operating system was launched worldwide on October 25, and in Singapore on October 26. 'Not only are these pirates ripping off legitimate software retailers, they are exploiting the creativity, hard work and investment made by software developers and industry partners. These developers and partners have committed time, effort and brain power to deliver the innovative, high quality products we have today,' Ms Bostick said. 'Piracy is theft. Those selling counterfeit software are stealing the income of legitimate Singapore retailers and saddling consumers with inferior copies.' Microsoft warns consumers who acquire counterfeit software that they could find that the software is missing key elements (including code), is defective or contains harmful viruses. Additionally, consumers who acquire counterfeit software are ineligible for technical support, warranty protection or upgrades. The raids took place across Singapore's heartlands. Previous police raids had concentrated on Sim Lim Square. 'Through the good work of the Singapore police, Sim Lim Square has been largely rid of shops selling pirated software,' Ms Bostick said. 'This has forced those wanting to continue in the software piracy business to move out to the Singapore heartlands. Shops that were found to be selling the pirated CDs were:           â–ª  Blk 185, #01-332 Toa Payoh Central           â–ª  Blk 82, #01-602 Marine Parade Central           â–ª  #02-55 Katong Shopping Centre           â–ª  Blk 727, #01-4264 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6           â–ª  Blk 720, #01-4106 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6           â–ª  Blk 214, #01-161 Bedok North Street 1           â–ª  Blk 208, #01-659 New Upper Changi Road Those convicted of piracy crimes can face jail terms of up to seven years. According to independent research commissioned by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), Singapore has a piracy rate of 50 per cent. This compares to the worldwide average of 37 per cent.

About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq 'MSFT') is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device. # # # For more information, please call:
	Charlene Chian Marketing Communications Manager Microsoft Singapore Tel: 433 5672 cchian@microsoft.com		Ngaire Moyes Communications Manager, Law and Corporate Affairs Microsoft Corporation DID: 61-2 9870 2091 ngairem@microsoft.com