Avast, ye software pirates, Microsoft Corp. is coming after you.
The giant computer firm has launched lawsuits across the nation six in California accusing 30 companies of various copyright and trademark infringements and distributing counterfeit and pirated software.
In Los Angeles County, FEC Computers Net of Downey and Contex Technology Inc. of Irwindale were named.
“We’re hoping to raise awareness that a lot of small businesses are victims of piracy,” said Microsoft Senior Attorney Mary Jo Schrade. “Aside from a fight to protect intellectual property, we are working to protect our partners and customers who buy computer software in good faith, expecting to get genuine Microsoft Windows and end up being exploited and defrauded by software pirates.”
The Business Software Alliance claims that small businesses are victimized in more than 23 percent of the cases involving counterfeit or unlicensed computer technology.
In its suit filed in U.S. District Court last week, Microsoft sought treble damages from Contex, with an order to cease and desist any infringement. The suit cites a number of Microsoft programs that are either counterfeit or unlicensed, including Windows XP Pro, Office 2003 Pro, Office Excel 2003, Office Outlook 2003, Office PowerPoint 2003, Word 2003, Publisher 2003 and Office Access 2003.
Contex spokesman Evan Chou did not want to discuss details of the litigation but denied the company was involved in wrongdoing. “We don’t sell pirated versions of Windows,” Chou said.
Executives at FEC Computers said they were unsure about the specifics of the lawsuit.
“We pretty much don’t understand it. We get the point, but we don’t get the whole description of the issue,” said FEC Manager Fernando Mira of the suit.
Other California companies included in the legal roundup were J & T; Computers & Parts of Fresno, LA Star of Walnut, Delta 4 Services of Spring Valley and an individual, Matthew Evans of Riverbank.
Hooping It Up
RazorGator.com, the L.A.-based online ticket broker that recently landed a hosting pact with the Rose Bowl, is hitting the hardwood now.
RazorGator will now broker tickets and travel to this year’s version of March Madness, the NCAA Basketball Final Four in Atlanta.
RazorGator chief executive David Lord said the NCAA was eager to brand its asset, and saw his firm as a vehicle for that.
“It’s about enhancing value to the customers,” said Lord, whose firm arranges “insider” tours and other benefits for ticket buyers. “I really do believe that those value-added products won the NCAA over.”
The Atlanta site of the Final Four works well for RazorGator, which has a similar deal in place with the Masters Golf Tournament, which follows soon after.
Hot Shot on Spot
Los Angeles-based Spot Runner Inc., which provides Internet-based ad placement for TV and cable ads, continues to raise its profile.
The company has added Robert Pittman, the former chief operating officer for AOL Time Warner, to its board of directors. Pittman, currently at the Pilot Group investment firm, was the chief operating officer for America Online Inc. and chief executive for MTV Networks.
Spot Runner made its name by making software and commercial templates available for small businesses, enabling them to advertise on cable or broadcast television networks at a minimal price.
Post-Production Power
IoFilm, the Los Angeles-based post-production house that uses specially designed technology to digitize and process film and TV properties, has expanded its Cahuenga Boulevard office space from 2,000 square feet to about 8,000 square feet.
Among the award-winning films IoFilm has handled is “Crash,” the Academy Award winner for best picture in 2005.
IoFilm chief technology officer Kevin Mullican said the company is using the extra space to create four suites for color work, a machine room, a scanning and recording room and a vault to store films. Mullican said the firm also has added a digital reproduction screening capability. Together, the additions will enable the five-year-old firm to combine several post-production processes into a single step.
Screen Play
Tis the season for many companies to complete end-of-the-year office upgrades. And if you run a small business that is replacing its computer systems, or other electronic devices, SoCal Computer Recyclers wants to hear from you.
“We’re trying to get companies to get rid of their computers securely,” said Randy Lewis, chief executive of the Harbor City company. It is unlawful to dispose of most covered electronic devices such as computer monitors and components because of the potentially hazardous chemicals found in many of them.
Lewis said his firm runs the trashed equipment through a seven-step process designed to render potentially hazardous chemicals harmless. He’s hoping his firm will retire as many as 2,500 monitors and 1,700 computers by Christmas.
SoCal Recyclers and other firms like it receive payments for each of the devices it “retires” from the state, which has been collecting a $6 to $10 electronic waste recycling fee since 2005.
Staff reporter Dan Cox can be reached at
[email protected]
or at (323) 549-5225, ext. 230.
