Microsoft takes Korean company to court
Software Alliance (BSA) on June 24 announced that Microsoft has filed a civil lawsuit against Trimmers Vietnam Co. Ltd. for using illegal computer software for business operations.
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| Tarun Sawney, Senior Director for the Software Alliance's Antipiracy in the Asia-Pacific announces that Microsoft has filed a lawsuit against Trimmers Vietnam Co., Ltd for using illegal computer software for business operations. — Photo courtesy of the Software Alliance |
Trimmers Vietnam is a South Korean firm located in Binh Chuan District, Thuan An Town, in the southern province of Binh Duong. It specialises in manufacturing luggage components.
On September 26, 2013, the company was found using unlicensed software of BSA members, namely Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, and Lac Viet. The representatives of Trimmers Vietnam in an official inspection document admitted to violating intellectual property rights. The firm pledged to stop the use of illegal products, compensate their owners, and purchase legal software. However, it failed to show any positive attempt to cooperate with BSA.
On May 29, Binh Duong Provincial People's Court assumed jurisdiction over the disputes relating to intellectual property rights as mentioned in Microsoft's complaint. The first conciliation session between the two sides will be held on July 2.
Speaking at a press conference, Tarun Sawney, Senior Director for BSA's Anti-piracy in the Asia-Pacific region, said that the organisation was surprised to see so many foreign enterprises investing in Viet Nam using unlicensed software.
"We talk with companies, asking them to use licensed software. Unfortunately, only a few talk in a positive and constructive way, most do not change their habits. They think it does not cause any consequences," he said.
Sawney said that Trimmers Vietnam refused to negotiate and cooperate and that has forced Microsoft to file a case. "Taking a case to court is quite usual in countries we are present such as China, Japan, Thailand, and India. It is good to see a similar system in Viet Nam," he noted, adding that turning intellectual property rights violations into civil cases will bring down the software piracy rate in Viet Nam in the coming years.
No representative of the South Korean firm could be reached for comment.
Trimmers Vietnam is the second enterprise to face a lawsuit for software licence violations in a civil court. In 2013, Microsoft and Lac Viet Company filed a lawsuit against Gold Long John International Company Ltd for using unlicensed software. The Taiwanese company paid more than VND1 billion (US$45,450) in compensation to the two firms. — VNS
