Microsoft steps up anti-piracy campaign

Twelve computer dealers in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai have

been found selling unlicensed software as a result of an expanded software

piracy crackdown conducted by Microsoft. Of the 12 dealers, eight have reached

out of court settlements with Microsoft. The remaining companies are facing

civil or legal action for copyright infringement after unsuccessful attempts to

resolve the matter amicably.

The crackdown took place in August and September after

Microsoft received information that a number of businesses were ´hard loading´

pirated copies of Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Office 2000 onto personal

computers. Investigators from the company bought computers with pre-loaded

software and subjected them to a technical analysis, which revealed that the

software was unlicensed. The dealers were then called upon to attend settlement

meetings. Computers purchased as part of the investigation will be donated to

charitable organizations.

Microsoft had previously announced that it would be stepping

up its dealer test purchase program (DTPP) in India by increasing the frequency

of its investigations and extending the number of cities covered in the

campaign.

The DTPP is a national program that has been operating for

the past three years. Its aim is to identify and take action against computer

dealers and resellers who load unlicensed software onto PCs for sale to

unsuspecting customers.

Anu Prakash, Corporate Attorney at Microsoft´s Law and

Corporate Affairs department in India, says Microsoft will continue to escalate

the frequency of DTPP investigations. She also warns past offenders not to

revert to piracy. "Dealers who have reached settlement will be constantly

monitored to ensure they do not violate copyright laws again," adds Anu.

As a result of the latest campaign, Zee Computers, Compton

Computers, Skope the Computer Shop and Cyberpark India in Delhi have made

payments towards costs. All four have also signed apologies and agreed to stop

dealing in pirated software.

Two dealers in Bangalore– Diginet Systems and Computer

International–agreed to settlement terms similar to that of the Delhi dealers.

In Mumbai, Ockam Systems and La Plume have paid costs and agreed to stop dealing

in unlicensed products.

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