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Microsoft is stepping up efforts to snare illegal traders after research suggested the economic downturn could spark an increase in software piracy.
The firm has launched legal action against 13 UK resellers and has claimed it now catches an average of three traders each week selling unlicensed software.
The resellers that admitted to selling unlicensed software and hard-disk loading are: PC Casualty Services Ltd (Manchester); TSG Systems (Littlehampton); Cyber Trading Ltd (Ashton-under-lyne); Nationwide Computer Care (Poole); Modern Computers (Southwark); Omega Computers (Ilford); Red House Computers (Orsett); Yemtec Ltd (Birmingham); and NT Computer Services (Cardiff); and Solution and Communications Services (Cardiff).
Further reading
Michala Wardell, head of anti-piracy at Microsoft UK, said: “Resellers are suffering on price because of the economic downturn and think they can cut corners. This round-up shows that if you are selling illegal software you cannot hide. We will find you no matter where you are based.”
Wardell expressed disappointment that most complaints came from customers, not the channel.
“Resellers need to let Microsoft know when they come across illegal software because it can only benefit the channel,” she said.
Recent research, conducted by
The
Federation Against Software Theft (The Federation), found that 79 per cent
of UK company directors felt businesses would be more likely to try to cut costs
in the current
economic climate by not being appropriately licensed.
The Federation is working with Cardiff Trading Standards to educate businesses on Section 107A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, in a campaign running throughout the summer.
However, John Lovelock, chief executive of The Federation, urged the government to do more to back up the rhetoric. “People think the government does nothing there needs to be more enforcement.”
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Do you agree?
REPLY TO MICROSOFT
Dear Michala,
Please come out from behind your PR protection and discuss the subject with representatives of the independents rather than disrespect our entire sector. It is in our best interests that all hard disk loading merchants are stopped. But to say ?Resellers are suffering on price because of the economic downturn and think they can cut corners" is a sweeping generalisation without foundation. It could well be an own goal as the independents, in the absence of any appreciation from Microsoft, are finding more margin in being in the vanguard of Ubuntu, Open Office and Linux MCE.
I/we have tried over the years to try and get some serious mechanism in place to combat piracy because it affects even our service business. We made some headway with your organisation in 2005/6 but only at a lower level within Microsoft and eventually this dwindled. I once had high hopes but nothing of note, if anything at all, has been discussed with the Trade Associations to formulate a reporting framework. You have a few to choose from: the PCA; Itacs and Nascr. So it is no wonder little is reported from our sector.
So I would respectfully advise less divisive
propaganda and more cooperative discussion to get an efficient, non-confrontational ant-piracy initiative up and working. Itacs and Nascr are the key players for such a close working relationship.
I hope you consider.
Posted by Hendy Armstrong | 05 Aug 2008
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