The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has announced a successful outcome to its court battle with Liverpudlian John Rothwell, who allegedly sold illegal software over the internet.

Rotherwell has agreed to pay £5,000 in damages after selling copies of design and office productivity software.

The anti-piracy body filed the lawsuit in October after Rotherwell was found selling software for £29 which had a total retail value of over £2,000. Some of the discovered software was from BSA members including Adobe, Avid, Corel and Microsoft.

Julie Strawson, chair of the BSA UK Member Committee, said: “The proceedings against Mr Rothwell are necessary. Mr Rothwell’s actions may not seem serious to some, but the consequences for businesses and consumers are far ranging.

“We hope an important message has been conveyed: if you are purchasing software over the internet and the price looks too good to be true, it probably is – there is a strong chance the product could be pirated.”

Rothwell also admitted to selling counterfeit copies of Rosetta Stone language course software.

Tests conducted on the software, by the BSA, revealed evidence of the Hacktool virus and discovered that all of the discs advertised were unlicensed versions.

Strawson warned: “If you are selling unlicensed software over the internet, think about the effects and remember – you are not anonymous and you will get caught.”

Since October Rothwell has ceased trading in all such products.