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SIIA Unveils New Anti-Piracy Slogan

WASHINGTON,  The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association of the software and digital content industry, today rolled-out their new anti-piracy slogan, "It's More than a Copy; It's a Crime."

SIIA turned to the public to help them devise a slogan that would replace the decade-old and increasingly obsolete catchphrase "Don't Copy that Floppy!" Publicized last fall, the Anti-Piracy Slogan Contest received nearly 600 slogan submissions from every corner of the globe. After much deliberation, it was decided that "It's More than a Copy; It's a Crime" effectively conveyed the increased enforcement and penalties that are being handed down to even one-time offenders. SIIA expects the slogan to increase awareness of their ongoing and future anti-piracy initiatives.

The contestant who submitted the winning slogan will receive a $1000 check from SIIA.

"Many people don't realize that illegally copied software, and digital content, such as online articles and textbooks, defrauds companies out of billions each year," said Keith Kupferschmid, SIIA's VP of Intellectual Property Policy & Enforcement. "Piracy has a crippling effect on the overall economy, and as a result, law enforcement has made intellectual property crime a top priority. We want to illustrate how seriously piracy is taken and hope to persuade people that it's more than just wrong -- it's not worth the risk."

In an effort to stop piracy before it starts, SIIA will be offering a new Content Compliance online course that will teach companies how to maintain digital content compliance. This course is modeled after SIIA's Certified Software Manager (CSM) seminar, which focuses on educating companies about software compliance.

SIIA's Corporate Anti-Piracy Program also confronts companies that consciously choose to flout copyright law. The program offers cash rewards to those who come forward to report corporate software in their workplace. Tips to SIIA's hotline have resulted in thousands of successful criminal and civil cases.

"Enforcement is our option of last resort," explains Kupferschmid. "We'd much prefer to educate companies and individuals about software and content licensing and are devising several ways -- including a roadshow where we'd educate people on the importance of software and content compliance -- to publicize our message."

SIIA's new slogan, "It's More than a Copy; It's a Crime," will begin appearing in advertisements and on buttons, t-shirts and posters in spring 2005. 

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education, and intellectual property protection to more than 750 leading software and information companies.

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