Daily Morning Online - 03/28/2014
Agents of the 1st Police Station of Passo Fundo (RS) carried out, on Wednesday (26), a search and seizure action against computer resellers suspected of selling copies of counterfeit computer programs. The operation was commanded by the titular delegate Dr. Diogo Ferreira and had the logistical support of the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES).
This was the sixth operation against computer resellers carried out by authorities across the country, in March, disclosed by ABES. The other cities covered were: Londrina (PR), Rolândia (PR), Cambé (PR) and Limeira (SP), Araraquara (SP), totaling 295 items captured in the six cities.
Although the volume of media is considered low, the major concern is the reproducibility of these products, which often contain malicious malware that can jeopardize user data. According to Jorge Sukarie, president of ABES, in many cases, these places also sell computers with pirated software already installed, without the consumer suspecting that he is being harmed.
This reality can be confirmed in the recent IDC study, released in early March, which points out that in Brazil 47% of computers purchased from computer resellers are already pre-infected with malware, including Trojans and other powerful viruses.
Given this scenario and to help these users, ABES together with BSA – The Software Alliance maintains the Software Piracy Reporting Portal. “Whenever the customer suspects the legality of the computer programs offered in these stores, he can make an anonymous complaint through the portal, available at the electronic address: http://www.denunciepirataria.org.br/. If you prefer, you can also download the Portal application, available on Android and IOS platforms”, points out Jorge Sukarie.
The entity warns of the risks that these stores run with the sale of piracy software. “By infringing copyright, these computer resellers promote unfair competition in the market in which they operate. In addition, they can be criminally charged with a penalty that can range from six months to two years or be fined up to 3,000 times the price of each program used or reproduced,” says Sukarie.
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