BSA Launches Educational Video to Expose Dangers of Online Auction Shopping and Provide Consumer Tips Washington, D.C., (November 15, 2006) /PRNewswire/ — A new survey conducted by Forrester Research on behalf of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) reveals that consumers are concerned with the safety and security of online auction shopping, particularly as it relates to the purchase of software.  In the past 12 months, nearly one-third of online consumers have purchased software from a retailer site. The growing demand for software and the anonymity of online shopping has created a potential environment for fraudulent sellers to peddle pirated software. According to the survey, one in five U.S. consumers who have purchased software over the past 12 months has experienced some kind of problem. Of those who had issues, 53% received software that was not what they ordered, 36% reported the software did not work, 14% immediately realized the software was pirated and 12% never received the product. "The Internet is proliferated with individuals selling pirated software to unsuspecting consumers, and consumers who purchase software or any other product from online auction sites or through email promotions run a high risk of receiving a pirated good," stated Neil MacBride, BSA’s Vice President of Legal Affairs. "It's pertinent that consumers are aware of the dangers of shopping at unknown websites or auctions sites and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from these risks, especially during the busy holiday shopping season." To help individuals avoid purchasing fraudulent software online, BSA has developed a 5-minute educational video -“ including rare interviews with a convicted software pirate sentenced to six years in federal prison; a victim of online auction software fraud; a high-ranking Department of Justice official; a BSA spokesperson; and helpful tips on how to prevent against consumer fraud. The video educates consumers ab...