Microsoft SA has issued a summons against computer vendor Keystone Information Service Group for R1.1 million in damages for alleged software piracy. The summons follows the seizure of R3.7 million of pirated PCs and software from the Mpumalanga Department of Education in January.
Keystone is alleged to have sold the Mpumalanga Department of Education more than 347 PCs allegedly pre-loaded with unlicensed Microsoft software in January this year.
The department acquired the computers as part of a large education department tender. Suspicions were aroused after technicians within the department brought discrepancies to the attention of Siltek Distribution Dynamics (SDD), whose Xylo brand name was displayed on the machines, and an investigation was initiated.
Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy and legalisation drive, says the claim against Keystone is one of the largest to date sought by Microsoft for software piracy, and is one of the biggest software piracy busts this year.
Keystone says it intends to defend the action. Xylo was not available for comment at time of publication.
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R3.7m of pirate PCs seized in Mpumalanga
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