Two Michigan Residents Plead Guilty to Criminal Copyright Infringement

cybercrime.gov, Jan 04, 2007

Purchased counterfeited Rockwell Automation computer software through eBay, and made numerous counterfeit copies of it which they sold themselves.

Two Michigan men have pleaded guilty in related federal cases to selling counterfeit computer software over the Internet that was valued at over $1,000,000, in violation of the criminal copyright infringement laws, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced today.

James Thomas, 38, of Belleville, Michigan entered a plea of guilty before United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds on December 13, 2006. Justin Sabo, 27, of Columbiaville, Michigan entered a plea of guilty before United States District Judge Paul V. Gadola on December 14, 2006.

According to documents filed in the cases, Thomas and Sabo both purchased counterfeited Rockwell Automation computer software through eBay, and made numerous counterfeit copies of it which they sold themselves.

Between August 26, 2003 and September 7, 2004, using two different user names, Thomas sold these copies in more than 32 separate eBay auctions, receiving $14,626.55. The actual retail value of this software was in excess of $1,000,000.

Between January 25 and July 2, 2004, using three different user names, Sabo sold counterfeit copies of the same software in 93 separate eBay auctions, receiving $17,160.84. The actual retail value of this software was in excess of $1,000,000.

United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said, "The protection of intellectual property of U.S. companies is crucial if we are going to be able to compete in the new high-tech economy. The Department of Justice has made prosecution of intellectual property cases a high priority, and appropriately so. I commend the FBI and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Department of Justice, which handled this case." Read more at cybercrime.gov