Microsoft Corp is launching a promotional campaign aimed at reducing software piracy in India, the largest stumbling block to its growth in the region. These efforts will be aimed at the home user, small office user and small firms where the piracy levels are high. The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), India’s apex software industry body, estimates software piracy levels in India to be around 60%. Users who now purchase a legal copy of Windows 95 or Windows NT will get free email for one year, discount of 25% on modems, discounts on Indian language software and free trade magazines. Close to 95% of all personal computers in India use Microsoft software. The firm’s Indian operations had sales of $56m in 1996-97 (April-March).
