Software piracy is one of the biggest challenges faced by software developers. Who wouldn't want to buy the pirated version when it costs less than 10% of the price.
In Maldives 90% of the people use pirated versions of Windows and other software. It is traded openly because there is no copyright law in the Maldives. It is very sad to write here that large companies and institutions also use pirated software. I have seen pirated software (Microsoft Windows XP, Adobe , Macromedia, etc.) in use by a private education institution in Maldives. I asked a lecturer about it and he said "Can you prove it?". What comes into your mind? I seriously doubt that these lecturers are professional. Anybody with little IT knowledge can distinguish between genuine windows and pirated windows.
Original software is not available in Maldives for purchasing(afaik). So a better alternative would be to switch to a free OS such as Linux. And there are numerous free software for download. Open Office is a substitute for Microsoft Office package, and its free!
You can get freeware software at
http://freewarefiles.com/Enjoy!