Lawsuit Filed Against Man Suspected for Selling Pirated Software

BSA (Business Software Alliance) has filed a legal suit against a man from Liverpool, UK, on the suspicion that he was selling pirated software online.

According to BSA, John Rothwell apparently sold BSA investigators pirated copies of office and design productivity software worth a total of more than £2,000 for just £29. It has also been found that one pirated application contains 'Hacktool' virus, a malicious program that gathers personal data and transmits it online to a remotely located PC, enabling backdoor access and greatly compromising the security of the infected PC.

BSA filed six different lawsuits against nine people following complaints that iOffer.com was pirating software widely. Rothwell alias 'magician9237' allegedly sold software like Avid Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12, Adobe Creative Suite CS3 Master Collection, Microsoft Office 2007 and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4.

Furthermore, after investigation, BSA revealed that the software suites that arrived were unlicensed editions (without exception) of the products advertised. A number of applications delivered were on unlabeled disks with recording features and "key generators" that would produce a serial code for installation - an obvious indication of piracy.

Meanwhile, according to Neil MacBride, Vice President and General Counsel of BSA, consumers who purchase software from certain shopping Websites and online auction sites confront a significant risk of dealing with pirated software, and at the same time expose themselves to serious problems like identity theft, as reported by Independent on November 4, 2008.

MacBride also stated that these lawsuits sent the message that stealing intellectual property is a crime leading to serious consequences. The dangers to consumers comprise permitting criminals easy access to financial and sensitive personal information as well as infecting one's PC with tools used in cyber crime.

BSA, therefore, cautions consumers buying software online that if the product's price appears too attractive to be real, there's a high possibility that it is pirated.

In addition, BSA welcomes reports of dubious software piracy at www.bsa.org/uk, be it regarding enterprises using software that are not licensed, or companies and individuals selling illegal software via internet.

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» SPAMfighter News - 20-11-2008

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