Microsoft outs another software pirate

Microsoft has won £35,000 in damages against a counterfeit software seller, and has forced those involved to publicise the award in an industry publication.

R J Campbell and his company R J Campbell Ltd, which traded collectively as Software Price Beater, admitted selling counterfeit software on channels such as eBay and to illegally importing software.

The High Court ordered the company to make an initial payment of £35,000, and hinted at the possibility of more to follow.

Software Price Beater has also been forced to take out an advertisement in PC Retailer announcing the verdict.

"This is a significant win for Microsoft as we continue our efforts to reduce the sale of counterfeit software and look to clamp down on illegal importers who are destabilising the whole reseller ecosystem," said Michala Wardell, head of anti-piracy at Microsoft UK.

"Through our anti-piracy campaign, we have noticed that it is not only counterfeit trading that is a big problem.

"Parallel importing is becoming a serious issue which is having a detrimental effect on the channel. It is great to see justice being brought against rogue traders like R J Campbell."

It is now becoming common practice for pirates to be forced by the courts to out themselves to the press.

M A Jabarkhail, of Grimsby, was forced to take out a similar advert in May after being found guilty of breaching the EU Intellectual Property Enforcement Directive.