SIIA announced today that it has settled a copyright infringement lawsuit against a major California software pirate. SIIA’s efforts have led to the shutdown of the company’s illegal operations, a five-figure settlement amount, and cooperation from the business to pursue those who supplied the illegal software.
On behalf of SIIA member company Adobe Systems, Inc., SIIA investigated, and filed a lawsuit against, Aldo Secaida of Covina, California, for engaging in copyright and trademark infringement by manufacturing, selling and/or distributing unauthorized copies of Adobe software. Secaida sold the pirated software via the website www.brilliantbuys.co.uk. SIIA filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the North District of California.
The settlement not only eliminates a major illegal online software operation, but it also provides us with information to go after others who are ripping off businesses and consumers. This is an important win for companies such as Adobe that employ thousands of people and contribute millions of dollars to our economy. When American software products are illegally copied and sold, consumers are hurt, workers are hurt and our economy is hurt. SIIA runs the software industry’s most comprehensive anti-piracy campaign to obtain justice for our members and to protect consumers and legitimate businesses.
In addition to paying the five-figure settlement amount, Secaida is now cooperating with SIIA to identify the upstream sources of the illegal products he sold. Secaida told SIIA:
“I thought my online scheme of peddling questionable software was a good way to make some easy money, but it has caused me far more harm than good. Most of the software I acquired was illegal to begin with, and reselling it was just as illegal. I completely regret my actions and look forward to helping SIIA shut down my suppliers.”
During the last three years, SIIA has filed more than 100 lawsuits in the U.S. against illegal eBay sellers as well as sellers on other websites dealing in counterfeit, OEM, academic, region-specific and other illegal software and publications. Defendants have paid millions of dollars in damages, and, in some cases, criminal charges were pursued and defendants sentenced to jail time.
Sources in the U.S. and in Europe can contact SIIA about a company, Web site or online auction seller’s suspicious business practices in three ways:
• E-mail: piracy@siia.net
• Telephone: +1-800-388-7478
• Online: www.siia.net/piracy/report
For more information about the SIIA Internet Anti-Piracy Division, or to read SIIA’s software buying guides, visit the Software Anti-Piracy page.
Scott Bain is Chief Litigation Counsel & Director, Internet Anti-piracy at SIIA.