BSA swoops on auction site pirate

Another villain taken off our streets. The world's a safer place

By Kieren McCarthy • Get more from this author

Posted in Software, 23rd November 2000 16:22 GMT

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The Business Software Alliance (BSA) and Trading Standards launched a dawn raid on a software pirate last week and came up trumps.

Ten of thousands of pounds of pirated software and records relating to their sale on online auction sites were found.

Run with military precision, the operation was mounted after a tip off from two informants.

Mike Newton, BSA campaign manager, spoke for us all when he said: "We estimate that up to nine out of ten software products sold on auction sites are illegal and it is therefore critical that we target these individuals who are duping the consumers."

Sadly Mike didn't have any figures on how many of the consumers actually cared.

We applaud the BSA for fighting to rid us of this sick crime. We can all sleep safer in our beds. ®

PS There may be a few readers confused at our apparent change in allegiance, especially since we have frequently mocked the BSA in the past. The detector van saga is one that springs to mind.

However, the change is simply explained - we may be invited to take part in the next BSA raid as press correspondent. Our intention is to provide you with a gritty, blood, guts and glory report from the fighting edge of software crime.

Keep 'em peeled. ®