The Benoni SAPS, SAFACT (The South African Federation Against Copyright Counterfeiting and Theft) and ASAMI (Association of South African Music Industry), have fired another strategic salvo against software piracy when a Boksburg home was raided and counterfeit Microsoft software, music and video material - including Sony Playstation titles - with a total street value estimated to be in the region of R1.5 million, was seized.
Roelie le Roux, a legalisation manager at Microsoft, said: "After receiving a tip-off Police conducted some `test purchases`, and then conducted a raid on a private residence in Boksburg."
Le Roux, a legalisation manager at Microsoft SA, who was called in to assess whether or not the Microsoft software found was counterfeit.
There police discovered about 2000 pirated Playstation titles, 300 pirated VCDs (Video CDs), 260 CDs and about 180 Microsoft products.
Le Roux confirmed the Microsoft products were counterfeits, adding that of the estimated R1.5 million worth of goods seized, about R350 000 consisted of Microsoft operating systems and applications.
The alleged perpetrator had apparently advertised the goods - at significantly reduced rates - in Junk Mail. The unusually low prices alerted the authorities to investigate further.
Fred Potgieter, a spokesperson for SAFACT, said the raid was a major breakthrough for his organisation and sent a strong message to potential counterfeiters.
Police investigations are continuing.
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