Microsoft catches 11 UK pirate retailers

Keelhauls companies across the country

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Channel, 13th August 2009 07:02 GMT

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Microsoft has reached settlements with 11 companies accused of selling dodgy copies of its products.

The 11 computer retailers all faced court action and admitted illegal hard disc loading and selling illegal software.

Christine Throup, from PC Support in Worcester, said: “We recognise that we weren’t installing Microsoft software correctly, and that’s something we take seriously. We’ll be working with Microsoft over the next few weeks to make sure what we do falls within their software rules from now on."

Microsoft has taken legal action against more than 100 high street retailers in the last year and a half.

The company has reached agreement with ten other firms:

Computer Clinic, Bolton ; Computer Port, Walsall; Eazy PC, Redcar; Goldcast Computers, Stockton-on-Tees; Matrix Computers, Stockton-on-Tees; PC Assist, Oldham; Personal Touch Computers Ltd, Portsmouth; Platinum Computers, Hartlepool; Spacebar Computers, Litherland, Liverpool, and The Little Computer Shop, Griffithstown, Pontypool.

The software giant said that it is not just small businesses which get tempted by cheap software - more than 1 in 3 corporates it checks have illegal copies of software.

Microsoft reminds businesses and consumers that if they buy a computer with software pre-loaded it should come with proper documentation and backup discs.

The company does offer consumers, but not businesses, a replacement service if they find they've unwittingly bought dodgy software - details here. ®

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