14 DAY TRIAL // Software piracy continues to be a critical problem for Microsoft, and the company is trying to deal with one very special case in Wisconsin where it’s suing a software pirate for the third time since 2000 simply because he keeps selling Windows and Office activation keys despite the court order.
Specifically, Microsoft claims that Anthony Boldin of Brookfield, Wisconsin, is a repeated software pirate who has already been sued two times before, in 2000 and in 2006, but despite the fact that the judge ruled in favor of the company, the activation key seller continues to distribute illegal product keys for Microsoft software.
Furthermore, Microsoft says that Boldin hasn’t yet paid the $1.2 million in damages as a result of the first two cases he lost, so the firm is now seeking a temporary restraining order to make sure that illegal sales of its software no longer occur.
“Microsoft sued Boldin in this Court on two prior occasions for violating its intellectual property rights (in March 2000 and again in December 2006). Notably, this Court entered two separate orders permanently enjoining Boldin from any infringing use or distribution of Microsoft software,” the complaint reads, according to CW.
Pirated keys sourced from China
According to court documents, Boldin was using several sources in China to get illegal product keys, which were then sold online on a total of four websites that he owned. Two of the websites were already down when Microsoft filed the lawsuit, but company investigators still managed to purchase keys from the remaining sites, the firm explains.
It appears that two of the keys it purchased were registered for academic programs in China, while another one was supposed to be used internally by Microsoft. Other four were issued for OEMs that install Windows and Office on the systems they sell.
"Boldin has taken steps to conceal his involvement with the Infringing Websites and, based on his current and past activities, is highly likely to dissipate his assets and conceal or destroy relevant evidence should he be provided with prior notice," Microsoft said.
Given the fact that Boldin is a repeated software pirate, the judge ruling is very likely to be harsher this time, as there’s absolutely no doubt that Microsoft’s going to win this case as well.