Illegal software has always been problem for Microsoft however they have started to tackle the problem in the UK by catching 25 computer shops, who were found to be installing pirated versions of Windows onto hard drives that were found in computer systems they were selling.
Microsoft hired their own investigators to track down the suspects, then deal with them personally. Stores that continued their illegal activities would then be hunted by the Trading Standards, who have the legal power to prosecute.
In a statement to ComputerWeekly, Michala Wardell, head of anti-piracy at Microsoft UK said, “Most of those caught in the operation either claimed the illegal activities were carried out by rogue employees or that they were not aware that what they were doing was illegal”.
Most stores caught did confess they were doing wrong and are now working with Microsoft at correcting their mistakes of trading illegal software.
Here’s a list of some of the offenders caught in Microsoft’s investigation;
- Computer Services Repair – Birmingham
- B.N.I Computers – Birmingham
- Discovery Computers – Birmingham
- Bitsize Solutions – Birmingham
- Discount Computer Warehouse – Birmingham
- Computer Resale – Chesterfield
- Surf-IT Computers – Hampshire
- March Computers High Tech Trading – Kent
- Morely Computers – Leeds
- South Liverpool PC Repair – Leeds
- Smithdown Computers – Liverpool
- TC Links – Liverpool
- SXC Industries – Liverpool
- Avesta UK – Manchester
- KBR Computers – Merseyside
- Jupiter IT – Merseyside
- Exel Computers – Sheffield
- Clarion Computers – Swansea
- MCS Computers – Teeside
Source: ComputerWeekly
