Microsoft is offering a prize of £2,000 for the best film that raises awareness of intellectual property theft.

The film must carry the theme of "how intellectual property theft affects both individuals and society", and the winner will get £2,000 in vouchers for film equipment. Eight runners up will win a trip to London to see the films being screened.

"The subject of intellectual property theft is often seen as legalistic and frankly a bit dull," said Alex Hilton, anti-piracy manager at Microsoft.

"The truth is that intellectual property is really about people's creations. When someone has worked hard on a creation, it's unfair to see it stolen in front of their eyes."

Microsoft currently has several cases of intellectual property theft in the courts. Its Longhorn operating system is under threat because of one case, and the company recently paid out $60m to settle a similar case with video firm Burst in March.