Microsoft files 21 lawsuits against software pirates

Microsoft has filed 21 lawsuits against a number of computer resellers in 14 states, alleging they were engaged in the retail of pirate software using a technique they refer to as “hard-disk loading.” In other words, they are taking a single copy of Windows or Office, loading it on multiple PCs, and then selling those PCs to unwitting customers.

Microsoft said that many of the pirates had been caught thanks its Genuine Advantage program. Unsurprisingly, many of the companies identified in the suits were repeated offenders having continued with their business practices illegitimately, despite settling earlier lawsuits with Microsoft. An out of court settlement for them seems unlikely this time around, though.