South African software reseller, Software Connection, has paid an undisclosed sum in damages to Microsoft South Africa for contravening Microsoft`s licensing agreements relating to the sale of academic software.
Anthony Delport, managing director of Software Connection retail division, commented: "Once Microsoft told us that this had been brought to their attention, we worked with them to resolve and remedy the issue immediately.
"Software Connection views this in a very serious light and has taken stringent measures to ensure that the situation does not recur."
"We appreciate that Software Connection cooperated fully with Microsoft in this matter and encourage all resellers to take a close look at their businesses. This will ensure that they are acting in the interests of consumers," said Mark Hill, managing director of Microsoft South Africa.
Microsoft`s initiative of subsidising institutions registered with the Provincial Education Authority allows preferential pricing on certain Microsoft products, making it easier and more cost effective for institutions to purchase software including Microsoft Office and other desktop applications.
Hill added: "Earlier this year, Microsoft launched a Clean Dealer programme, where resellers commit themselves to ethical business practices and to selling only legitimate products to their customers. It is in the interest of the consumer, the resellers, the entire industry and the economy as a whole that ethical business practices become the norm. Software Connection has subsequently become a participant in this programme, further strengthening their relationship with Microsoft."
"Ethics within the IT industry are crucial. Customers often rely on their resellers to guide them on how to be legal when buying software. It is distressing to see that in certain cases customers are misled and find themselves on the wrong side of the law as well as the target of an industry-led investigation. We aim to ensure that customers are protected and that Clean Dealers are supported. This is just one of the steps we are taking. We are currently investigating a number of complaints about activities within other companies and will make the results public soon."
Editors note
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Microsoft South Africa was launched in January 1993 in Johannesburg and now has sales offices in Durban and Cape Town. If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at www.microsoft.com and the Microsoft South Africa home page at http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/ .
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