Chicago (IL) - Eleven individuals were convicted in a southern China court of violating national copyright laws and participating in a sophisticated counterfeiting ring that enabled them to mass-produce and distribute pirated Microsoft software globally.

The group reportedly operated like an international corporation that produced and sold CDs and DVDs that were not only of high quality, but packaged nearly identically to real products despite the high level of anti-piracy security measures taken by Microsoft.
 
The organization mass-pirated software such as Windows XP and Office 2007. The goods were sold via the Internet and then exported from China and shipped to the United States and Europe.

According to court documents released on Wednesday, the men were sentenced to anywhere from one and a half to six and a half years in prison. Microsoft described the group as one of the largest counterfeiting organizations ever discovered. The organization’s international sales have been estimated at more than $2 billion.
 
The operation was discovered and broken up in July of 2007. Twenty-five individuals were arrested, and several manufacturing facilities were shut down. Software valued at more than $500 million was confiscated from the facilities.

Microsoft said it was satisfied with the outcome and noted that the sentences were the strictest ever delivered in a Chinese copyright infringement trial.

On another note:

Dec 31, 2008 14:13     

Each individual had over 500 illegal copies of XP in his basement. The ones with 499 copies, were let go....
Sorbitol report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -10

Or maybe I should have said:

Dec 31, 2008 14:14     

The ones distributing illegal versions of vista were let go.
Sorbitol report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -9

Good News for Microsoft and Partners

Dec 31, 2008 16:32     

Since I began travel in the Far East in the early seventies this is the biggest news today that I have read of any combined effort to bring down a counterfeit operation. This is a big problem in all the Asian countries I have traveled to. These acts suck the growth and life out of corporations around the world. People world wide are being sold fake contact lens, handbags, and at one point small animals where being slaughtered treated and stuff and shipped to the U.S. Now I realize why as a Microsoft affiliate it been so difficult to promote Microsoft products over the years as an authorized affiliated. No promoting the official Microsoft Store at http://dlservicesincservices.com

manager2 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -11

RE: Or maybe I should have said:

Dec 31, 2008 18:00     

Lolz to the Vista comment.
Zach report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -5

I was just thinking...

Dec 31, 2008 20:04     

Man do I need an extra kidney.
Mr. Paco report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

No Big Deal

Jan 01, 2009 09:06     

The news media is making a big deal out of this story. I equate this to a drop of water in an ocean of pirates. Really less important than just one of those prosecuted for downloading music. Does anyone really think piracy will stop in China? Evidently, piracy is the price companies are willing to pay for being able to manufacture their goods in those Chinese sweatshops where the goods are easily ripped off and where the Chinese acquire the knowledge to make the knock-offs. My only gripe is the use of taxpayer funds to investigate this stuff. Microsoft should use their own money to go after them. They should use the money they pay lobbyists and campaign contributions to acquire all the visas they need to bring in their cheap help.

J. Doe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

makes you wonder

Jan 01, 2009 13:00     

When companies like Microsoft will start having people arrested who bought Linux or OSX since that is cutting into the sales of Windows XP to the individual. How can MS make any money when people are out there flagrantly not buying their products and hurting their sales! Or FORD starts having the Mercedes/BMW customers brought up on charges for not buying Ford vehicles. Heh, heh, heh..
Ronald Stepp report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -7

No links to MS?

Jan 01, 2009 13:01     

Manager2, I can't figure out what the point of that link was. There are links on that page that do go directly to microsoft.
ck report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

re: No Big Deal

Jan 02, 2009 22:39     

You forget about a countries imports verses exports. Also if the USA government can lower overseas piracy of software, music, movies than USA companies will either pay more taxes on higher profits or spend more money (which will result in more jobs - either more jobs in the company or in other companies it purchases things from).
Jay report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Microsoft don't like it

Jan 05, 2009 12:27     

It's ok for Microsoft to force their will and inferior product on to others at high prices and get away with it, thank the lord the EU courts put a stop to it in Europe Microsoft have done everything under the sun for the passed generation to stop Open Source Software now they are feeling the pinch from losing ground with Internet Explorer to fire fox and other web browsers Now linux is taking off Microsoft's domination is on it's way out and not before time

Carling report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0