Microsoft Sues Over Software

Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software maker, said Monday that it was filing lawsuits against eight computer-system builders and resellers in California and six other states, accusing them of distributing counterfeit and unlicensed software and software components.

The lawsuits follow similar action in November 2004 against eight dealers. Legal amendments in 2003 provide criminal and civil penalties for distributing software without authenticity certificates.

“Our partners are coming to us and asking for our help,” said Microsoft attorney Bonnie MacNaughton. “They are being undercut and forced out of business by having to compete with dishonest PC manufacturers and resellers who continue to sell illegitimate software.”

Microsoft said the lawsuits were filed in California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Alabama, Maryland and Rhode Island.

The lawsuits stem from a program in which Microsoft acquires software, components or computer systems from dealers and tests them for authenticity.

The suits name as defendants Abacus Computer Corp. of Anaheim; Technology One of Los Angeles; Avantek Inc. of Orlando, Fla.; First E-Commerce of Austin, Texas; M&S; Computer Products Inc. of Boonton, N.J.; Micro-Excell Inc. of Gadsden, Ala.; Odyssey Computers of Pasadena, Md.; and Signature PC of Warick, R.I.

Calls to Microsoft, Avantek and M&S; Computers were not returned. Abacus, First E-Commerce, Micro-Excell, Odyssey, Signature and Technology One couldn’t be reached for comment.

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Bloomberg News and Reuters were used in compiling this report.