The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) trade association for the software and digital information industries announced it is extending its "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" anti-piracy campaign in its fight to help protect consumers who purchased illegal software online. The campaign allows buyers who purchased counterfeit software on auction websites such as eBay to get even with a fraudulent seller by reporting them to SIIA, which will then pay them up to $500 to purchase a legitimate copy of the software.

SIIA Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property Policy & Enforcement Keith Kupferschmid said that after the SIIA launched the first campaign last year, sales of software on eBay dropped by 33 percent. But he said, "Auction and classified ad sites must do more to stop counterfeit sellers."

In order to participate in the "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" campaign, individuals who have inadvertently purchased pirated software on an auction site must complete an online application and submit it to SIIA by no later than 5 pm EST on January 15, 2009. Those who satisfy all eligibility requirements necessary to participate in the program will be eligible to receive up to $500 from SIIA. The payment is intended to encourage the buyer to replace the counterfeit software with a legitimate copy, though consumers are free to use the money as they see fit.

http://www.siia.net/piracy/dgmge