PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
join:2005-01-03
Riverside, WA
 ·CableOne
| Selling illegal software
A gentleman in my small town runs a small computer repair shop. He does pretty much anything you need for a home computer (sells and installs hardware, fixes adware and virus problems, etc.).
He also sells and installs software for his customers. And what I mean by this is, he charges people to take HIS copy of a software program (software such as Norton AV, Windows XP, Adobe Photoshop) and install it on their computers.
That's right; he CHARGES people to install HIS copy of software on THEIR computers. The customer does not get a CD or product packaging or the CD key/serial number for the software, because of course, that belongs to him. But they pay him for it.
And he runs his BUSINESS based on this. Not just an average Joe that "shares" his copy of whatever with his buddy next door. He actually runs a business and makes a living off of selling illegal copies (or installations, rather) of software.
My question is this: Who do I report this to? Who will care? I don't necessarily want the guy to go to prison, but I certainly think he needs to be stopped, like say maybe a phone call or letter to cease and desist from the Microsoft legal department?
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A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other invention, with the possible exceptions of handguns and Tequilla. -- Mitch Ratcliffe |
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Silentwolf
Vaprotan
Premium
join:2002-07-03
Kingsport, TN
clubs:
 ·Embarq
| This post isn't in the right forum but you can go to »www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx to report piracy to Microsoft, I'm sure the other companies have some number or form to fill out to report piracy of their software also.
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Brad ~ Blog | Vanadiel Ranch | Guyverpedia | EFF |
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
join:2005-01-03
Riverside, WA | Oops, I certainly didn't mean to put it in "Photo's of Broadband Gear."
MODS, please move! |
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Silentwolf
Vaprotan
Premium
join:2002-07-03
Kingsport, TN
clubs:
·Embarq
| reply to PolarBear
A company I used to work for also did this, they would charge full price for the copies also, if the customer needed to reinstall or such they would have to pay full price again for the copied software.
Good luck with getting this taken care of, I'd like to know how Microsoft deals with it.
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Brad ~ Blog | Vanadiel Ranch | Guyverpedia | EFF |
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
join:2005-01-03
Riverside, WA
·CableOne
| reply to PolarBear
I just shot off an email to piracy(at)microsoft.com. I included the phone book listing and webpage of the company. I also mentioned in the email that I personally know (it's a small town) several of the business' customers that have unknowingly paid for these illegal copies.
So I'll let y'all know if I hear back.
Also, anyone know of how I could report this guy to, say, some sort of agency or association for copyright infringement (like you would report someone to the RIAA for selling copied music)? Or is it best left to the software companies to sue him themselves, since I am sure Microsoft is more than able?
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A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other invention, with the possible exceptions of handguns and Tequilla. -- Mitch Ratcliffe |
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DrStrange
Technically feasible
Premium
join:2001-07-23
West Hartford, CT | reply to PolarBear
Try the Business Software Alliance. They have an online form for reporting distributors of pirated software.
»reporting.bsa.org/usa/ |
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