MICROSOFT PRAISES IRMA ANTI-PIRACY CERTIFICATION.

Microsoft Corp. has commended the International Recording Media Association (IRMA), representing the world's leading replicators of optical media, for its leadership efforts to reduce piracy by establishing the IRMA Anti-Piracy Compliance program. Microsoft encourages all contract replicators to become IRMA-certified under the new Standards and Procedures Version 2.1.

The purpose of the IRMA Anti-Piracy Compliance Program is to protect intellectual property rights in the replication of optical media through adherence to procedures and guidelines that help prevent the inadvertent or intentional replication of unauthorized CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. The initiative, which has implications for the motion picture, recording and software industries, was developed with significant input from the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), Motion Picture Association (MPA), Business Software Alliance (BSA), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA). Microsoft Corporate Attorney Tony Viera commended IRMA's development of the Anti-Piracy Compliance Program and stressed Microsoft's commitment to encouraging replicators to become certified.

"Even though many of the replicators with which Microsoft works are conscious about protecting against piracy, the IRMA compliance program can provide a second and third layer of defense to help ensure that the necessary and updated anti-piracy processes are in place," Viera said.

"The IRMA program provides the ideal method for replicators to play an unambiguous and vital role in the protection against piracy." "Content providers such as Microsoft now have a clear method of identifying the replicators that are serious about complying with stringent manufacturing and operational procedures," ...