Gujarat S/W dealers protest Microsoft's anti-piracy raids

Ahmedabad, May 17 (UNI) Dealers in IT products observed a ''bandh'' in the state yesterday to protest against the ongoing Microsoft anti-piracy raids.

South Gujarat Information Technologists Association (SITA) president Bharat Randheri, speaking to UNI, claimed that the ''bandh'' was a total success.

He alleged that dealers and resellers of software are being harassed by Microsoft's legal representative who has been issuing legal notices and threatening to levy a fine of Rs 20 lakh on the dealers.

''If Microsoft is so concerned about piracy, it should lock its software as is being done by sellers of other high-end softwares,'' Mr Randheri said.

He said that because of the high cost of Microsoft software, it is not favoured by anyone as a pirated version can be had for only Rs 150. That apart, most major companies do not install software when they sell their computers or laptops, he added.

Mr Randheri said SITA proposes to move court against Microsoft.

He claimed that SITA has received support from dealers in other states like Maharashtra and Uttaranchal.

The dealers have threatened to shift to some other operating software if Microsoft continues to harass them, Mr Randheri said.

UNI