selling fake pc utilities

glasgowc

a friend of mine is selling copies of microsoft office on ebay, what can happen to him? will he get caught?

VH

If someone reports him then EBay will probably just stop the auctions as selling pirated software is against their rules.

He gets caught again and they are likely to suspend his EBay account.

He could also get prosecuted if the auction is spotted by someone like FAST. I've heard of cases of this happening but don't know if there's any weight in the stories.

soolin

Microsoft are one company that protect their brand very carefully. There are some stories on the unofficial ebay newsgroups of people getting all sorts of legal notices and noticies of suspension for selling unlicensed copies of software.

Soo

culpepper

if someone decided to shop him to microsoft it could get bad...they've only got to pretend to be a buyer and they'll have his name etc,he'd have trouble denying it.
Ive also heard of people selling copies of films on ebay, on another forum I saw a list of someones ebay films for sale,they had even stated that the films were sent without labels or boxes with a cover ,as that was charged extra!

angelcake

a friend of mine is selling copies of microsoft office on ebay, what can happen to him? will he get caught?

a friend ...... ::)

Why don't you email Mr Bill Gates and ask him?

trace-j

It is also a criminal offence under The Trade Marks Act if caught by Trading Standards can face a fine and or prision sentance. Word of warning selling fakes on ebay is taken a lot more seriously than a few CD's at a car boot because of the wider market sold to.

Despite him having many happy customers now- it only takes one buyer to grass him up- even if they left positive feedback. Is embarressing when the police also turn up with a search warrant to raid his house.

When the authorities find out where he is- he is also liable to not only having his fake wares seized but also his PC and anything else that helps him manufacturer. Personal effects to the value of is illegal gains can be sougt from the courts under the proceeds of crime act- pretty easy when EVERY sale is logged with ebay.

So all in all not much profit left after a court fine, being sued by Microsoft, all your equipment seized and proceeds of crime fine. Oh and a criminal record- how will he explain that next time he wants to travel abroad or get a new job.

Sometimes just doesn't seem worth it. You can try and talk him out of it as a friend, but hey the prospect of all this money is pretty good......

Benji

A raid is also likely to find customers names and addresses - using pirated software is also illegal