MS Cracks Down on Student Software Piracy

Microsoft is attempting to shut down alleged international software smuggling operations by filing nine lawsuits and issuing more than 50 cease and desist letters. The lawsuits were filed in federal courts in California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Nevada and Montana.

According to Microsoft, companies in Jordan and elsewhere have made millions of dollars in illegal profits by trafficking in specially priced academic software diverted from education programs. This software was passed off to consumers in the United States who unknowingly lacked the license to use it. Microsoft says it routinely works with governments and public agencies around the world to provide heavily discounted software to the global academic community. Through these programs, Microsoft claims to provide students and schools, access to the latest technologies that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

Bonnie MacNaughton, senior attorney at Microsoft said, “To those who say software piracy is a victim-less crime, I would say this case tells a different story. The defendants in these lawsuits and others are charged with profiting from selling clearly marked educational software to unsuspecting retail customers who were not licensed to use it—and potentially depriving students and schools of the opportunity to benefit from the latest technologies.”

EDirectSoftware.com, one of the largest offenders named by Microsoft, has already agreed to settle Microsoft’s lawsuit out of court for more than $1 million in cash and property. Other merchants that received cease and desist letters have agreed to voluntarily stop selling the software, which is clearly marked “Student Media” and “Not for retail or OEM distribution. Not for resale.”