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05 Jul 2010
Comments:5
Microsoft has named and shamed 25 UK resellers caught trading illegal software, following a recent anti-piracy clampdown by the firm.
The software giant has confirmed settlements with 21 independent computer shops, which all admitted hard disk loading and selling illegal Microsoft products.
In addition, four rogue traders were also caught using internet auction site eBay to peddle illegal goods.
Further reading
Out of the 21 resellers caught, six were based in Birmingham and five were from Liverpool, resulting in Microsoft labelling the areas “piracy hotspots".
Michala Wardell, head of anti-piracy at Microsoft, blasted the firms involved for putting the post-recession recovery of reputable resellers at risk.
“Piracy not only impedes growth but puts local hard-working computer shops out of business,” she said.
“This is the case in piracy hotspots such as Merseyside and Birmingham, where honest resellers feel the cumulative effect of being out-priced by a number of local illegal traders.”
Amar Mahmood from Discount Computer Warehouse in Birmingham, one of the 25 firms implicated, said the company has put in place measures to ensure it steers clear of pirate activity in future.
He added: “It’s fair to say we made a mistake, but it is now firmly behind us. I’d like to reassure all of our customers that we are committed to providing top-quality customer service, sales and support.”
Colin Carney from SXC Industries, another of the firms involved, said: “When we were first contacted by Microsoft, we realised we needed to change the way we operated. We certainly do not condone piracy of any sort.
"Working with Microsoft, we tackled the issue immediately and contacted customers who may have been affected.”
The computer shops involved were:
Computer Services Repair, Birmingham
Marsh Computers High Tech Trading Ltd, Kent
B'N'I Computers Ltd, Birmingham
Morely Computers, Leeds
Discovery Computers, Birmingham
South Liverpool PC Repair, Leeds
Gemini Computers, Birmingham
Smithdown Computers, Liverpool
Bytesize Solutions Ltd, Birmingham
TC Links, Liverpool
Discount Computer Warehouse, Birmingham
SXC Industries Ltd t/a Stockxchange, Liverpool
Computer Resale, Chesterfield
Avesta UK Ltd, Manchester
Quest Computers, Gosport
KBR Computers, Merseyside
Surf-IT Computers Ltd, Hampshire
Jupiter IT, Merseyside
Exel Computers, Sheffield
Clarion Computers, Swansea
MCS Computers, Teesside
eBay traders:
Little Laptop Shop eBay aka recovery_dvds
Custom PC Shop
Fizz Time aka Electricbuy
Snowdon Computers Ltd
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Do you agree?
The Cost
£2500 Just got a letter myself :-(
Posted by Paul | 27 Jul 2010
piracy probe
there are genuine retailers which work hard to make honest living,then these pirates come along on short leases and destroy the customers, market and product value.i hope they get tough penalties or bankrupt them to protect the honest traders.
Posted by mike | 10 Jul 2010
MS Bullying the small guys again
I see MS is continuing their despicable campaign of bullying small companies. Their website bleats "We are committed to educating - blah blah" yet it is pretty obvious from this article that rather then educate these companies who they admit mainly did not realise they were doing anything wrong MS went in heavily with their legal team and scared them into settling for god knows how much in settlement fees.
Posted by Ian Freely | 07 Jul 2010
Merry Xmas to you too MS
Nov '09 I sell a PC, XP installed with COA. MS Activation and WGA passed.
6 days before Xmas a letter arrives from MS demanding £2000 in damages to avoid legal action because I did not use original restore media on the PC to do the install. Family Xmas ruined, thanks Microsoft.
Posted by Niel Humphreys | 07 Jul 2010
Do the crime. Do the time!
Ha! Couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of losers!
Posted by LongJohnSilver | 07 Jul 2010
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