More MS counterfeit lawsuits
p2pnet.net News:- Microsoft has filed eight new lawsuits against computer system builders and resellers for alleged distribution of counterfeit, illicit and unlicensed software and software components as part of its ongoing “test purchase program” to ensure software being distributed is legitimate.
Under it, Microsoft buys software, software components or computer systems from dealers and tests them for authenticity. If they’re not legitimate, the dealer usually gets a Cease-and-Desist letter and is, “told how it can obtain legal, genuine software”.
Today’s lawsuits were lodged against firms in California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Alabama, Maryland and Rhode Island.
The lawsuits, which claim copyright and trademark infringement and in one case, violation of the new federal Anti-Counterfeiting Amendments Act of 2003, were filed against Abacus Computer Corp, of Anaheim, California; Avantek Inc, of Orlando, Florida.; First E-Commerce (dba Discount Electronics and/or DiscountElectronics.com), of Austin, Texas; M&S Computer Products Inc, of Boonton, New Jersey; Micro Excell Inc, of Gadsden, Alabama; Odyssey Computers, of Pasadena, Maryland.; Signature PC, aka Signature Computers, of Warwick, Rhode Island; and Technology One, of Los Angeles.
“Defendants in each case allegedly continued their distribution of counterfeit software or software components, separated COA labels, or unlicensed software even after they were contacted by Microsoft requesting that they halt their illegal activities,” says Microsoft.
Summaries:
- US District Court for the Central District of California – Microsoft Corporation v Abacus Computer Corp., of Anaheim, Calif, alleging distribution of infringing Microsoft Office 2000 Premium, Office XP Professional, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) and Windows 2000 Professional (Case No. CV 05 2569 RGK (PLAx)
- US District Court for the Middle District of Florida – Microsoft Corporation v Avantek Inc, of Orlando, Fla, alleging distribution of infringing Microsoft Windows XP, Office 2000 Premium and Office XP (Case No. 6:05-CV-519-ORL-18-KRS)
- US District Court for the Western District of Texas – Microsoft Corporation v. First E-Commerce dba Discount Electronics and/or DiscountElectronics.com, of Austin, Texas, alleging distribution of infringing Windows 95, Office 97 Professional Edition and Windows 2000 Server(TM) and/or related components (Case No. A05CA251 SS)
- US District Court for the District of New Jersey – Microsoft Corporation v M&S Computer Products Inc, of Boonton, NJ, alleging distribution of infringing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Office 2000 Professional
- US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama – Microsoft Corporation v. Micro Excell Inc., of Gadsden, Ala, allegingdistribution of counterfeit and infringing Windows XP and/or related components (Case No. CV-05-PT-0730-M)
- US District Court for the District of Maryland – Microsoft Corporation v Odyssey Computers of Pasadena, Md, alleging distribution of illicit Certificate of Authenticity labels for Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 2000 Professional (Case No. WMN05-964)
- US District Court for the District of Rhode Island – Microsoft Corporation v Signature PC aka Signature Computers of Warwick, RI, alleging distribution of infringing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 98 and Windows XP Professional (Case No. CA 05 144 S)
- US District Court for the Central District of California – Microsoft Corporation v Technology One of Los Angeles, alleging distribution of counterfeit and infringing SQL Server(TM) 2000 software components, counterfeit Windows 98 software, a counterfeit Windows XP Professional End User License Agreement and counterfeit Windows 2000 Professional Certificates of Authenticity (Case No. CV 05 02572 TJH (Mcx))
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See:-
Microsoft – Microsoft Files Lawsuits in Seven States, April 11, 2005
