Microsoft Sues Three Area Firms Accused of Pirating Software

ORLANDO-It’s getting to be an old story for Microsoft Corp., but the California computer maker is in U.S. District Court here again, protecting its patented software programs.

Microsoft’s three lawsuits against locally-based Dacanay Consulting and two Clearwater, FL companies allege the defendants resold counterfeit software to customers. Computers Etc. and Eva Computer Service, and Dacanay deny the charges.

The suits seek unspecified damages of at least $75,000 against each defendant. Microsoft is trying to determine the total value of the counterfeit sales before asking the court to assess damages.

Microsoft argues the defendants ignored previous cease-and-desist letters to stop selling allegedly stolen copies of Office Pro 97 and Windows 95 software.

The computer manufacturer sued three other Orlando resellers last year. One suit, against Jasmine Computer Co., has been settled for undisclosed monetary damages and a court order barring Jasmine from repeating the sales effort.

The other two suits are pending. The defendants are Mu Computers of Winter Park, FL and National Computer Technology Corp. of Orlando. Both firms deny the charges.