Microsoft Praises Officers for Work on Software Case

Detectives with the Anaheim Police Economic Crimes Detail were honored Tuesday by Microsoft Corp. and the Business Software Alliance for their work in seizing pirated software.

The unit last month seized 1,100 counterfeit copies of Windows 98, just days after its release. Lost sales revenue could have reached more than $90,000, said Linda Chung, Microsoft spokeswoman.

Theft charges are pending against a 27-year-old San Clemente man, who was allegedly selling the software copies at $10 each, police said. The authentic software packages sell for about $90.

A plaque was presented at a City Council meeting to the following detectives: Mel Vyborney, who lead the team investigation; Duane Goetz; Judi Harmon; Chuck Alvarado; Tim Crawford; Mike Freeman; Chuck Knight; Todd Kridle; and Sgt. Lou Wuest.

“We just wanted to show our appreciation for their efforts in fighting piracy. It’s a huge problem,” Chung said.

Last year, the U.S. software industry lost an estimated $11.4-billion in revenue worldwide through the sale of illegally copied software, according to Business Software Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based watchdog organization.

Lt. Jack Parra, who oversees the Economic Crimes Detail, said this was the first time the department was involved “in such a high-end economic sting involving software.”

“It’s something we learned a lot about,” Parra said, adding that the department is continuing its efforts to prevent software counterfeiting.