More bad guys named by Microsoft

Microsoft SA has fired its second salvo in its "Look at the Bad Guys" anti-piracy campaign with the publication, for the second time this year, of a list of companies found to be involved in software piracy.

Zion Computers CC in Bronkhorstspruit, PC Specialists in Durban, JHL Mynhardt CC t/a Compu King in Kroonstad, Inspired Computers CC t/a Computer Connection in Johannesburg, Top-Pro Science International CC t/a Decans Electric Cities, Philberg Computing CC t/a Ethereal Progressive Computing, OBE Computers in Durban, Swopmasters CC t/a PC Swop in Pretoria and Compu-Bar CC in Stilfontein, have all reached settlements with Microsoft after having been found to be hard disc loading.

A further individual, Jason Ronald De Angelo, was found guilty of dealing in counterfeit goods in the Potchefstroom Magistrates court.

Hard disk loading entails a computer vendor pre-loading an unlicensed operating system or application onto one or a number of machines for resale to the public.

Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy and legalisation drive, said the "Look at the Bad Guys" advertisements will also be flighted in several daily newspapers, as well as in local newspapers where some of the vendors operate. The advertisements will name the resellers found to be infringing Microsoft intellectual property rights.

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"Our `Look at the Bad Guys` campaign is ongoing," he emphasised.

Customers or resellers with questions about the legitimacy of Microsoft products should contact the Microsoft toll-free line at 0860 2255 67, or visit the company`s Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/piracy.

Customers and resellers can also obtain information about software piracy by calling the Business Software Alliance`s (BSA) anti-piracy hot line at 0800-110-447, or visit the BSA`s current truth campaign Web site at www.bsa.co.za/, or send e-mail to info.bsa.org.