MONTREAL - Microsoft Corp. has welcomed a $100,000 fine imposed on a Quebec man who pleaded guilty to contempt of court for persevering in sales of counterfeit software.
Carmelo Cerrelli of Montreal recently pleaded guilty in Federal Court and was fined $50,000 on each of two counts of contempt.
"The problem of software piracy continues to be a primary focus for Microsoft since it affects a wide range of Canadians, from the rights holders to consumers to legitimate businesses," Christopher Tortorice, anti-piracy lawyer for Microsoft Canada, said Monday.
Cerrelli, who operated under the name Inter-Plus, was found in December 2006 to have violated Microsoft's copyright and was ordered to pay $700,000 in damages.
In November 2007, more counterfeit software was seized at his place of business, including versions of the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office.
"The substantial fine handed down by the Federal Court of Canada in the contempt proceedings emphasizes that orders of the court must be respected," Tortorice said in a news release.
