BSA warns pirates after Black Country convictions

Anti-piracy body warns there's no place to hide for counterfeit traders, as Wolverhampton-based pirates are sent down

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has held up the conviction of three Wolverhampton-based software pirates as a warning that counterfeit traders will be caught and punished.

Steve Adams and Julie Frendo admitted to charges of copying and selling rip-off DVDs and software at computer fairs and over the internet, the Expressandstar reported. It was described by local trading standards officers as one of the biggest cases of its kind.

The case was heard at Wolverhampton Crown Court last week and Mr Barry Berlin, prosecuting, estimated Adams’ activities cost the industry in the region of £924,000. A third man, Gregg Gartside, admitted to helping out at the fairs.

The court heard that Adams used his ill-gotten gains to bankroll his lavish lifestyle. A £14,600 Rolex watch, £6,500 personalised number plate spelling out ENGLAND and £6,000 gastric band were among his purchases.

He also shelled out £4,000 for girlfriend Frendo to undergo breast enlargement surgery.

Adams was sent down for three years, while Frendo was handed a 12-month suspended sentence suspended.

Najeeb Khan, vice chair of the BSA UK Country Committee said: “While Mr Adams and his accomplices enjoyed a period of luxury, the scale of their duplicity was unsustainable. Pirates may profit in the short-term but this case should be regarded as a warning to others involved in the sale of counterfeit software that they will be caught and the consequences can be serious.”

Khan added: “The software industry - a major contributor to the UK economy in terms of job creation and tax revenue- also suffers heavily.”