Even when Microsoft Windows XP and Office Suite are one of the most pirated software programs in the world, Bill Gates himself acknowledged once that software theft can help build market share more quickly.

Charles Piller of Los Angeles Times shares an interesting perspecting about how software piracy actually helps in making Microsoft a standard.

The proliferation of pirated copies nevertheless establishes Microsoft products as the software standard. As economies mature and flourish and people and companies begin buying legitimate versions, they usually buy Microsoft because most others already use it.

Microsoft has also acknowledged that software piracy prevents free, open-source alternatives such as Linux from chipping away at Microsoft's monopolies, especially in developing nations.

Source: How Piracy Opens Door for Windows - LATimes.com