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).

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.”