In a path-breaking development in its global effort to restrict piracy of software, Microsoft has finally reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit with MPO Group, French Company. The company in question had allegedly involved in making and selling thousands of unauthorized version of Microsoft business software. While informing the press, Microsoft said that the settlement includes a multi million dollar payment; however, the company refrained from disclosing further details.
Under the arrangements of the settlement, MPO has acknowledged that it has violated the disk replication agreements, which was in place with Microsoft. MPO has reportedly agreed on the allegations made by Microsoft that it was illegally replicating thousands of Microsoft server software disks by using a fake Microsoft licensing agreement that never existed.
MPO Group was a Microsoft authorized disk replicator and the settlement was forged after years of investigation into production and distribution of counterfeit Microsoft server software.
It was found in the investigation that around 20,000 copies of the software have been made in the plant of MPO. The investigating Microsoft’s Worldwide Anti-Piracy team and other law agencies were successful in recovering the pirated copies but some copies are believed to be in circulation.
On the other hand, MPO while disclosing its modus operandi said that its Thailand based plant was used to make the disks based on a forged licensing agreement presented by a third party. As a matter of fact Microsoft has so far not authorized third parties to replicate its software; consequently the agreement was treated as illegal.
