I see now that SIIA is offering a $500 bounty on software pirates found selling their warez on public auction sites over the holidays. The program only runs through January 30th and only the first 100 applicants are eligible. SIIA is pitching it as the "Don't Get Mad, Get Even" campaign, aimed at consumers who had purchased such pirated software and then been stuck with the bill for acquiring a legitimate copy on top of what they paid the pirate.

That's all well and good, if you're one of the lucky 100 (seems SIIA is aiming a little low, if one believes the other numbers they publish-$3 billion in losses as far back as 1999, the most recent reference I could find on their site). But it's small potatoes compared to what you can get from the Business Software Alliance and their $1 million Rat Out Your Employer program. More bang for your buck there, in my humble opinion, if you're planning on making a living turning in software pirates. SIIA is going to get a bad name as a bounty hunter with a paltry $50,000 in the game.

Of course, why be picky? If you're serious about it, maximize your revenues and go for both! Shouldn't be any problem to find plenty of candidates for both programs.

Sign up for SIIA's reward here!