Microsoft raids resellers, finds pirated OS, software

Four major resellers in the state capital have been caught selling pirated versions of MS OS and software by Microsoft Corporation officials here last week. The resellers include the market leader Logtech Systems, Comsol, SS United and

Megabyte.

An unsuspecting Microsoft agent, who posed as a customer and bought three computer systems from each of the resellers after paying the required amount, trapped the dealers. 

The resellers loaded the OS and software as requested by the buyer without license. The dealers were later summoned for a hearing at the Taj Group Hotel in Varkala addressed by a Microsoft Corporation attorney George Vivek

Kurian. 

The dealers said that they were willing to sell licensed copies if customers do not insist on obtaining unauthorized copies. The resellers were asked to sign a MoU to the effect that they wouldn't sell pirated copies of MS OS and software. 

The resellers were also imposed a penalty for selling unauthorized copies. This is the first time that a 'vigilance' style raid is being conducted among resellers although Microsoft had conducted similar raids with NASSCOM's assistance among the corporate segment.

The new initiative could have widespread repercussions in a state where majority of the systems are sold loaded with unauthorized copies of proprietary OS and software. Prima facie the dealers are at the receiving end because they have been caught selling unauthorized OS and software.

However, All Kerala Computer Products and Dealers Association (AKCPDA) has not yet met after the incident to finalize a strategy to deal with the problem, according to John G Kottara, State President of AKCPDA. According to the indications, the Microsoft agents were able to spot at least 13 resellers who sold pirated versions of OS and software but clamped down on only four of them. 

The Microsoft raids would affect even institutional sales, as most of the systems are sold loaded with the unauthorized license-less copies, a dealer said.

Sreekumar Raghavan


(CNS)