Microsoft Statement on First Criminal Sentence for Trafficking in Illicit Software Certificates

Microsoft supports government’s efforts to protect intellectual property and consumers.

REDMOND, Wash.— Microsoft Corp. issued the following statement in support of the 46-month sentence handed down today by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Justin Harrison dba Sales International for trafficking in illicit certificates of authenticity for Microsoft® software:

Microsoft applauds the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their efforts to protect consumers and intellectual property in the first prosecution under the Anti-Counterfeiting Amendments. This case involved trafficking in illicit software labels intended to deceive consumers into believing they were acquiring genuine software. The 46-month sentence handed down by United States District Judge Orinda D. Evans in this case should serve as a strong message to others that distributing illicit software certificates is a criminal act that can result in a significant prison term. The sentence recognizes the value of intellectual property and the threat that software piracy presents to the global economy and consumers throughout the world.