Disabled mother of four beats off MS, Mounties in piracy case

Demands compensation, phone call from Bill

By John Lettice • Get more from this author

Posted in Software, 25th May 2001 12:14 GMT

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Further evidence of Microsoft's uncanny knack for publicity is provided by the story of a Canadian victim of the company's anti-piracy campaign. According to Canadian newswire CP Wire, 41 year old disabled mother of four Brenda Avery found herself on the receiving end of the full might of the Redmond SWAT team and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

She defended herself against charges of selling counterfeit Microsoft software (just a couple of packages proven out of stock of 800, apparently), succeeded, and now is demanding compensation and a phone call from Bill Gates.

After a tip-off from Microsoft, the Mounties showed up at her house, conducted a search and seizure, then arrested her and her husband for good measure. She refused to plead guilty, defended herself and - here's the interesting bit - her case depended on her not being able to knowingly sell counterfeit software, because she didn't know it was counterfeit.

Her point was that you could only tell software was counterfeit if you opened the package and examined the security markings under magnification. The boxes themselves looked fine, and Microsoft's expert witness couldn't tell when handed a CD.

Although she was found innocent, her business is closed down, she's thinking about a civil suit against Microsoft, and she wants to give Bill a piece of her mind. Go on Bill, call her... ®

Related link:
Woman seeks compensation from Microsoft

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