I’ve been asked in the past why Microsoft didn’t take more action against rogue software resellers.  We do and you will have seen adverts about this recently, but I saw this and thought I would share.  My advice – if the price looks too good to be true, it is.

Microsoft catches up with ITAC owner

Barry Omesuh receives custodial sentence and could be forced to sell properties to pay £2.5m fine for parallel importing

Written by Kayleigh Bateman

CRN, 27 Jan 2009

Software giant Microsoft has claimed a "major victory" in its long-running piracy battle with now defunct Manchester based sub-distributor ITAC.

ITAC managing director Barry Omesuh was given a total of seven custodial sentences at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, ranging between one and nine months and to be served concurrently, and also ordered to pay £2.5m in damages.

Included in the court order was a grant to Microsoft enabling it to sell Omesuh's properties in order to pay his debts.

Despite ITAC having to pay Microsoft £1m in damages in February 2006 for parallel importing and unlawful dealing of Microsoft software, the firm continued to trade with an unauthorised distributor in the Middle East.

Omesuh was found in contempt of court for breaching court orders issued in March 2008.

Graham Arthur, anti-piracy attorney at Microsoft UK said: “This case against ITAC and Mr Omesuh shows that Microsoft takes a zero tolerance approach to anyone who undermines the level playing field for our retailer community.

“We are working hard, sometimes

Microsoft catches up with ITAC owner - 27 Jan 2009 - CRN

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David