IPR abuser in Dubai in out-of-court settlement

Microsoft Corporation, a member of the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to combat piracy, has reached an out-of-court settlement with Royal Focus LLC of Dubai, the computer and software trading enterprise that had been raided by government officials to curb piracy.

The out of court agreement saw Royal Focus sign an undertaking to abstain from utilizing, exhibiting or soliciting any pirated software from Microsoft Corporation. The liability amount will be increased in case evidence is found of continued infringement, an announcement from BSA said.

Tolga Altinordu OEM Director, Microsoft Gulf said, “Piracy is not a victimless crime, and has destructive potential of stifling creativity, hampering economic growth, eroding trust and perverting business environments. In addition, flawed pirated software leaves a firm open to exploitation from hackers, potential data loss and theft, increasing chances of direct financial losses.”

“We have reached an out of court settlement with Royal Focus LLC because the enterprise was anxious to settle the matter with us. However, we are prepared and ready to commence legal proceedings against repeat offenders, or entities that try misleading us about their use of pirated software,” Altinordu added.