The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has cranked up the pressure on online software pirates after serving proceedings against a Wolverhampton-based dealer.

Richard Clark, who ran online trader RJ Software from his home, has agreed to pay damages for the distribution of 24 batches of fake Adobe, Autodesk, Corel and Quark software. The BSA’s action followed a successful series of test purchases.

The BSA’s legal action against Clark also forced the suspension of his business within two hours of being personally served with proceedings.

Clark co-ooperated fully with the investigations and told the BSA he bought the goods from a PC market in Manchester.

“I had no idea that the BSA had been monitoring my business with a view to shutting me down. I certainly won’t be selling any more counterfeit software – I was lucky to keep my house,” Clark said.

The BSA stressed the economic impact of reducing software piracy, citing IDC research that found a ten-point reduction in unlicensed software sales, which are currently running at 26 per cent, could create 13,000 new jobs.

John Wolfe, director of Internet Enforcement for the BSA, said: “[This] sends a clear signal to similar online traders, however small, that the BSA and its members will not tolerate sales of counterfeit software. Such illegal copies are damaging to both consumers and businesses. We are pleased to have brought these proceedings to a successful conclusion so swiftly.”