Microsoft Sues Over Alleged Abuse of Software Service

Microsoft Corp. said Thursday that it had filed breach-of-contract lawsuits against several members of a software-subscription service.

The Redmond, Wash., company alleges that nine people in California, Maryland, New York, Texas and Virginia obtained Microsoft Action Pack Subscriptions, then tried to sell the software on Internet auction sites.

Microsoft said the alleged abuses involved falsifying information to receive program benefits and software titles multiple times.

The subscription program provides partners with discounted Microsoft software for product evaluation and internal use, not for resale.

“Our honest partners have asked us to intervene to help protect those who abide by laws and rules governing software use and distribution,” said Mary Jo Schrade, a senior attorney at Microsoft. “We want to protect the business of honest resellers and try to ensure a level playing field for our partners.”

Microsoft also sued three companies in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, accusing them of pirating software.