Anti-counterfeit software body the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which represents the likes of Adobe, Apple, Microsoft and Symantec, said it has prevented more than 36,000 illegal software products with a combined retail value of around $8m being sold through online auctions.

The BSA said this is just the "tip of the iceberg" and warned consumers to beware of auction sites selling software much cheaper than the retail price because of the danger it may contain viruses or spyware.

Microsoft has also won a court case against a company selling counterfeit products on eBay and illegally importing software to the UK.

RJ Campbell and his company RJ Campbell Limited, which traded as Software Price Beater, have been ordered to pay Microsoft damages and costs of approximately £35,000. The trader has also been ordered to take out an advert in a monthly trade magazine detailing the case and the ruling.