A Dubai-based computer retailer has agreed to an out of court settlement with Microsoft to avert further legal action after selling pirated Microsoft software. Storm Computers has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to the computer giant’s regional arm, Microsoft Gulf, the firm said in a statement on Thursday.
The firm was found to be selling computers with the pirated versions of Microsoft software following raids on the store a few months earlier.
Two Storm employees were arrested, the statement said.
Under the terms of the settlement the company agreed to only sell and distribute genuine Microsoft software to customers in the future.
Both parties also agreed to an undisclosed amount of damages.
“We are highly appreciative of Microsoft’s approach to our case. After talks with the company, we have come to fully understand the value of genuine software and the risks associated with distributing pirated software, both to ourselves and to our valued customers,” Mustafa Ali Khan, Storm Computers manager, said.
Jawad Al Redha, IPR manager, Microsoft Gulf, said: “Although local authorities have gained ground in reducing the incidences of piracy across the emirates via a combination of awareness campaigns and enforcement activities, they still need more help from the software sector and the public to combat copyright violations.”
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