Microsoft Sues 8 Firms - Piracy Lawsuit

Microsoft Corp. sued eight companies it says have distributed counterfeit copies of some of its software. Microsoft claimed Monday that two of the companies are in violation of earlier settlements. Copies of Windows XP Professional, Office XP Professional and Office 2000 were among the phony products Microsoft claims were distributed.




The software maker said consumer leads helped it identify at least one of the companies it sued. It sent shoppers to buy and test the authenticity of software sold by the others. Microsoft said the Business Software Alliance estimated in May that the value of pirated software will reach $200 billion by 2010.

"Our ultimate goal is to stop piracy of our products," said Mary Jo Schrade, a senior lawyer for Microsoft.

The other companies Microsoft said it sued recently are: BWT Industry Technology Service Inc., doing business as Computer Max Co.; Data Day USA Inc.; MicroCity4Less.com; Global Computing Inc.; Ion Technologies Corp.; Compustar Co.; and Chips & Techs.

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