Discount-Licensing settles Microsoft IP suit

UK copyright infringement case targeted second-hand software specialist

Staffordshire-based second-hand software reseller Discount-Licensing has settled a High Court claim brought against it by Microsoft for copyright infringement.

Juan Hardoy, assistant general counsel for the digital crimes unit at Microsoft EMEA, said the vendor remains "absolutely committed" to protecting consumers and warned it would continue to proceed against channel companies and other parties that infringe its intellectual property rights.

"Second-hand software buyers are rarely in a position to tell whether or not the transaction is legitimate, but it is they who bear the consequences and the potential liability if it turns out to be illegitimate," Hardoy said in a statement issued to press this morning.

"Microsoft will therefore continue to bring action against those who infringe its rights and distribute its software unlawfully."

According to Microsoft, Discount-Licensing has admitted unlawfully reselling second-hand Microsoft software licences, and illegitimately importing the software into the EU.

The claim related to "hundreds of customers and thousands of software licences", according to the vendor, but Discount-Licensing has now paid "a significant sum" towards Microsoft's damages and legal costs.

"In addition, Discount-Licensing has abandoned its counter-claim, which related to software first sold onto the European market," it said.

Microsoft software is the main focus of Discount-Licensing's business. The nine-year-old company is headed by founder Noel Unwin, alongside co-directors Ken Symons and Phil Hibbit.

Discount-Licensing is a member of the anti-piracy lobby group Federation Against Software Theft (FAST), and also offers product from AVG, Adobe, BlackBerry, HP and SAP through its network of partners and resellers around the world.