Man to Pay in Counterfeit Software Case

Dyre Straits · Dec 5, 2003, 04:38 PM

RICHMOND, Va. - A Virginia man has agreed to pay Microsoft Corp. $1.7 million as part of a guilty plea to federal charges related to selling counterfeit software.

Ben John Barbot, 51, of Richmond pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to one count of criminal copyright infringement and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods.

Barbot admitted the retail value of the counterfeit software he distributed was more than $7 million. From June 2001 to December 2002, Barbot distributed more than 17,000 counterfeit Microsoft programs, according to his statement.

He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 20.

More here

Source: AP

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 5, 2003, 04:59 PM

Yikes

-={420}=- · Dec 6, 2003, 03:30 AM

"U.S. Customs agents began looking into Barbot's activities after Microsoft, responding to complaints, sent Barbot a "cease and desist" letter. Lawyers for the company informed him that one of his companies was selling software that Microsoft had determined to be counterfeit.

Other letters followed, but Barbot continued selling the bogus programs through other entities he created, investigators said."

He should have stopped after the first warning. I'm surprised they even gave him a warning---that was his chance to quit while he was ahead and take his $. The stupidity never ceases.

Dyre Straits · Dec 6, 2003, 03:36 AM

Some of the most astounding -- and most laughable -- instances are the examples of stupidity of people who commit crimes.

One example right here in Atlanta: A cop noticed what looked like a stolen car driving south on Boulevard in Atlanta. As soon as the cop pulled up behind the guy driving that car, the driver hit the gas and sped off. They traveled at a high rate of speed all the way down Boulevard. He only stopped once he entered a gated 'community' with no exit. The 'community' happened to be the Atlanta Penitentiary.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Dec 6, 2003, 03:51 AM

eh id be charged with a few thousand prolly

-={420}=- · Dec 6, 2003, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyre Straits
Some of the most astounding -- and most laughable -- instances are the examples of stupidity of people who commit crimes.

One example right here in Atlanta: A cop noticed what looked like a stolen car driving south on Boulevard in Atlanta. As soon as the cop pulled up behind the guy driving that car, the driver hit the gas and sped off. They traveled at a high rate of speed all the way down Boulevard. He only stopped once he entered a gated 'community' with no exit. The 'community' happened to be the Atlanta Penitentiary.

[SIZE=large]RFL[/size]

Dec 5, 2003, 04:38 PM	#1
Dyre Straits HH Old Fuddy Duddy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 14,205 Rep Power: 216 System Specs	Man to Pay in Counterfeit Software Case RICHMOND, Va. - A Virginia man has agreed to pay Microsoft Corp. $1.7 million as part of a guilty plea to federal charges related to selling counterfeit software. Ben John Barbot, 51, of Richmond pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to one count of criminal copyright infringement and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. Barbot admitted the retail value of the counterfeit software he distributed was more than $7 million. From June 2001 to December 2002, Barbot distributed more than 17,000 counterfeit Microsoft programs, according to his statement. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 20. More here Source: AP

Dec 5, 2003, 04:59 PM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Yikes __________________

Dec 6, 2003, 03:30 AM	#3
-={420}=- DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,095 Rep Power: 0	"U.S. Customs agents began looking into Barbot's activities after Microsoft, responding to complaints, sent Barbot a "cease and desist" letter. Lawyers for the company informed him that one of his companies was selling software that Microsoft had determined to be counterfeit. Other letters followed, but Barbot continued selling the bogus programs through other entities he created, investigators said." He should have stopped after the first warning. I'm surprised they even gave him a warning---that was his chance to quit while he was ahead and take his $. The stupidity never ceases. __________________ [COLOR=red]My eBay Auctions[/COLOR]

Dec 6, 2003, 03:51 AM	#5
BiGBrOwNPimpsta HH's #1 Hustla and Pimp Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Dirty Dot Posts: 7,717 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	eh id be charged with a few thousand prolly __________________ Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music \| Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers \| 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners \| Logitech G700 Mouse \| Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard