<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published September 12, 2009
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Police seize pirated software in Comex raid
Laptops carried pirated Windows XP software
By ONG BOON KIAT
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SINGAPORE'S largest IT trade show, Comex, saw some unexpected excitement yesterday when police showed up to raid a retailer and seized laptops loaded with pirated Microsoft Windows software.
According to a media statement by Microsoft Singapore, police raided a retailer at the show and seized 55 China-made 'Losang' branded laptops installed with unlicensed Microsoft Windows XP Professional software.
The laptops were found to be affixed with recycled Certificates of Authenticity (COA), which are stickers that help buyers tell if the software they are purchasing is authentic. COAs are required to accompany the software that is being sold.
A Microsoft spokesperson told BT that a showgoer had called the hotline of anti-piracy group Business Software Alliance (BSA) about the suspected retailer during the opening day of Comex on Thursday. The tip-off led Microsoft to alert the police, who carried out the raid at around 4pm at Suntec yesterday.
Jonathan Selvasegaram, corporate attorney for intellectual property, Microsoft South East Asia, said investigations revealed that several hundred units of the 'Losang' laptops containing unlicensed software may have been imported into Singapore for sale during Comex.
Under Singapore's Copyright Act, parties found guilty of selling counterfeit software can face a fine of up to $100,000 and up to five years' jail.
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Yesterday's crackdown is likely the most eye-catching software copyright infringement-related incident this year. In October 2008, two Sim Lim Square retailers paid $70,000 in compensation and had to do 144 hours of community work following police seizure of 300 copies of counterfeit Microsoft software.
This year also saw several raids on retailers selling bootleg gaming consoles, which have been rigged to play pirated games.
Following yesterday's raid, Microsoft Singapore issued a statement warning consumers to guard against unknowingly buying computers with illegal pre-installed software.
The software giant urged shoppers to inspect the COAs on new PCs before purchase, and to be wary of suspicious-looking COAs. Consumers should also ensure that systems come with accompanying product collaterals.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Police seize pirated software in Comex raid
Laptops carried pirated Windows XP software
By ONG BOON KIAT
<TABLE class=storyLinks border=0 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 width=136 align=right><TBODY><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right>
</TD><TD>Email this article</TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right>
</TD><TD>Print article </TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right>
</TD><TD>Feedback</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>SINGAPORE'S largest IT trade show, Comex, saw some unexpected excitement yesterday when police showed up to raid a retailer and seized laptops loaded with pirated Microsoft Windows software.
According to a media statement by Microsoft Singapore, police raided a retailer at the show and seized 55 China-made 'Losang' branded laptops installed with unlicensed Microsoft Windows XP Professional software.
The laptops were found to be affixed with recycled Certificates of Authenticity (COA), which are stickers that help buyers tell if the software they are purchasing is authentic. COAs are required to accompany the software that is being sold.
A Microsoft spokesperson told BT that a showgoer had called the hotline of anti-piracy group Business Software Alliance (BSA) about the suspected retailer during the opening day of Comex on Thursday. The tip-off led Microsoft to alert the police, who carried out the raid at around 4pm at Suntec yesterday.
Jonathan Selvasegaram, corporate attorney for intellectual property, Microsoft South East Asia, said investigations revealed that several hundred units of the 'Losang' laptops containing unlicensed software may have been imported into Singapore for sale during Comex.
Under Singapore's Copyright Act, parties found guilty of selling counterfeit software can face a fine of up to $100,000 and up to five years' jail.
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This year also saw several raids on retailers selling bootleg gaming consoles, which have been rigged to play pirated games.
Following yesterday's raid, Microsoft Singapore issued a statement warning consumers to guard against unknowingly buying computers with illegal pre-installed software.
The software giant urged shoppers to inspect the COAs on new PCs before purchase, and to be wary of suspicious-looking COAs. Consumers should also ensure that systems come with accompanying product collaterals.
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