14 DAY TRIAL // Pirating the Windows operating system is the right strategy to get yourself a round of Microsoft applause. However, the applause in question will be far from a sign of appreciation for the software piracy deed, and more of a celebration of the subsequent sentencing. In this sense, illustrative is the case of Justin E. Harrison, 26, of Oxford, associated with Sales International. Harrison was found guilty of trafficking in illicit Microsoft Software Certificates and is going to serve 46 months in a federal prison, as well as pay a fine of $25,000. This is a landmark case, as it marks a premiere as the first criminal sentence for trafficking in illicit labels and selling unauthorized software. The Redmond company was of course quick to react to the news.
"Microsoft applauds the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their efforts to protect consumers and intellectual property in the first prosecution under the Anti-Counterfeiting Amendments. This case involved trafficking in illicit software labels intended to deceive consumers into believing they were acquiring genuine software," Microsoft stated in a response to the sentence.
Harrison pleaded guilty to all the counts brought against him. The sentence came for both distributing pirated software, but also for dealing in "Certificates of Authenticity." The labels were designed to guarantee the authenticity of Windows XP Professional and Windows 2000 Professional products.
"The 46-month sentence handed down by United States District Judge Orinda D. Evans in this case should serve as a strong message to others that distributing illicit software certificates is a criminal act that can result in a significant prison term. The sentence recognizes the value of intellectual property and the threat that software piracy presents to the global economy and consumers throughout the world," Microsoft added.