Madhya Pradesh High Court: Victims Must be Given a Hearing Even Before Closure Report Rejection  ||  Delhi HC: Payment of ‘Pagri’ Does Not Render Tenancy Non-Terminable, Allowing Eviction  ||  Ker HC Examined Whether Electro-Homeopathy Can be Practised Without Registration under Medical Laws  ||  Delhi HC: Better Possessory Title Holder Can Recover Property From Occupant Without Superior Right  ||  Bombay High Court: Compensatory Afforestation Must Be in Same or Nearby Locality For Residents  ||  Bombay High Court Protects ‘MEFTAL-SPAS’, Restrains Use of Similar Drug Brand  ||  Supreme Court: Inclusion in Revised Select List Does Not Give TN MV Inspectors a Vested Right  ||  Bombay HC: ICC Cannot Hear Sexual Harassment Complaint over Non-Employer Transport Incident  ||  Ker HC Upholds Rule that Homeopathic Doctors Must Cancel Registration Before Enrolment as Advocates  ||  J&K&L HC: Evidence Negating Penetration Warrants Conviction For Attempt to Rape, Not Rape    

Microsoft Corporation and Ors. v. Susheel Kumar and Ors. - (23 Sep 2015)

Cheaper to pirate than purchase?

MANU/DE/3014/2015

Intellectual Property Rights

In a case against large pirating of Microsoft software (yes, makers of the little known ‘Windows’, ‘Office’ and ‘Bing’), the Delhi High Court laid heady damages of Rs. 5 lakhs against a most prolific Blackbeard of unpaid-for software. Given that Karle Group, with a dedicated IT Department no less, was running nearly 300 computers with Microsoft software on which over 200 unlicensed pieces of Microsoft software were found installed, the ‘punitive’ damages are more flea-ting than they first seem. Especially since 55 computers were erased of illicit software(s) during the conduct of search. Microsoft had estimated the damage suffered to over Rs. 17 lakhs.

Relevant : Without the dreaded ‘takedown’ notices of the United States, and disconnection of habitual illegal software and media sharers in the European Union, India, an enormous potential market for Western software firms, is nascent in its anti-piracy measures. Figures by BSA, a global consortium of software developers, estimated that in 2013 India was home to over $2.9 billion worth of unlicensed software. Cue growth in broadband uptake and greater internet penetration with over 15 million wired broadband subscribers and over 78 million wireless internet subscribers (showing a whopping 16 per cent monthly growth, according to TRAI Telecom Data on 31st January 2015), Western software firms emboldened by government overtures, and the need to distance from China’s example (Copy? Right!), it is only a matter of time before that tug of war begins.

Tags : SOFTWARE   PIRATE   UNLICENSED   MICROSOFT   PUNITIVE  

Share :        

Disclaimer | Copyright 2026 - All Rights Reserved