The Business Software Alliance (BSA) claims the conviction of a Yorkshire pirate will send a strong message that the sale of illegal software will not go unpunished.

Waseem Malik was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence for hawking pirated software at a Leeds computer fair in 2007, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

Malik stood to make £6,000 from his wares, but it is predicted the estimated loss to the software industry could have been as much as £420,000.

Police found professional pirate software-making equipment at Malik’s home.

BSA members Microsoft, Adobe, Quark, Sage and Coral were among the brands Malik had pirated.

Alyna Cope of the BSA UK Country Committee, said: “We are pleased to see this tough action against a prolific software counterfeiter. It sends out a strong message to others involved in similar pursuits that the sale of illegal software will not be tolerated and serious punishments will be pursued.

“Software piracy isn’t a victimless crime. Software is vital to the national and local economy, and involvement in piracy – whether counterfeiting discs or purchasing them – amounts to denying the UK software industry revenue, potential local job cuts and depriving the UK of taxes.”