Microsoft nabs two pirated software dealers in Chennai

BANGALORE: Microsoft Corporation has announced settlements with two Chennai

based computer dealers. Sonaco India and Techmakers were found selling personal

computers installed with unlicensed copies of Microsoft software, a official

press statement quoted.






Following reports filed by the investigating team, Microsoft issued notices to
the two distributors asking them to attend a settlement meeting, where the

dealers were expected to sign an undertaking not to copy, sell or distribute

unlicensed copies of Microsoft software programs.






Sonaco India and Techmakers agreed to settle the matter with Microsoft and
have agreed to surrender all unauthorized copies of Microsoft software in their

possession. The two dealers have also signed an unconditional apology and

allowed Microsoft to donate the PCs to a charitable institution once legitimate

software is loaded.






"Microsoft takes seriously its responsibility to help ensure that
distributors and resellers who supply products are doing so fairly and not at

the expense of honest businesses. We are confident that our continued work aimed

at reducing software piracy in India will help create a responsible PC dealer

community," said Microsoft, Corporate attorney, Huey Sze Tan.






As part of Microsoft’s Dealer Test Purchase Program (DTPP), the Microsoft
Anti-Piracy investigation team identifies dealers and resellers suspected of

installing unlicensed software on computers and carries out a test PC purchase.

The DTPP program is part of Microsoft’s work to support the genuine channel

partners involved in legitimate business, who invest in providing good support

and value to their customers by supplying reliable and genuine products.