Opinion - Computer guy sold me pirated software - what would you do?

[Tiger926]

I don't post often on this board, but I do enjoy reading it as people seem to offer great suggestions. That being said, here is my situation:

Purchased a new computer system from what I thought was a reputable computer dealer. We custom built the system with high-end parts, as we always do, so it's not a packaged promotion. He sold us Windows XP Pro license key, and gave us a burned CD containing XP Pro software (full OEM version). We were not comfortable with this, so we asked him, and he said Microsoft allowed him to do this. This has never been our experience, so we took it home in order to check with Microsoft ourselves. We since called him to ask about activating a 2nd home computer, and what our options would be with software (buy another licence as Microsoft mentions on website, or purchase from him) in order to give him a chance to better explain himself. We didn't like his answers so we called Microsoft's Piracy Hotline. Here is what they said:

All Microsoft Windows software (except for big dealers like Dell, HP who have special permission to imprint their own CDs), must come with a genuine Microsoft encrypted hologram CD and COA (certificate of authority) - no burning at all! I checked with Microsoft and our certificate is authentic, but the software is not. So the COA may be stolen, copied, etc... They wanted me to report him on the phone as Canada has a 40% piracy rate, but I didn't feel comfortable doing this until I spoke with my husband and we confronted our computer guy. So my question is: What should I do? We are honest people and purchase all software, music CDs, etc... we don't burn or copy as we believe that this is stealing. I am afraid to confront him because he might think that we are threatening his businesse, and he has 3 small kids to feed. By the same token, we need to go and talk to him today because we want our money back at least for the Windows software that he sold to us. We are not interested in having any illegal software in our computer, so how should we best handle the situation?


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Tiger

 

[disneyelaine]

You said this was a "reputable computer dealer." Sorry, he is not & he lied to you about Microsoft allowing him to do this. We had a couple stores in our area get in trouble for this. Thrilled me to no end as my husband REALLY does own a reputable computer business. All his customers have the proper licenses, which we even copy the serial numbers and put in customers file as proof. My husband has had plenty of people ask him to copy stuff (can you believe that!) He sends them out the door. Reputation is everything & we do tons of gov, medical, school business. This guy does not sound very legit to me.

 

[Tiger926]

The license seems to be legitimate (according to Microsoft website - did a comuter scan, as well as certificate check), but it's the software that's the problem. Microsoft said that dealers are never able to separate the COAs from the CD. They always must come together in order to be genuine Microsoft products. Since you are a computer dealer as well, then you must only sell Microsoft hologram CDs with the attached COA, right? How should I handle him today at his store?

Thanks, Tiger

 

[disneyelaine]

Well maybe give him a chance to explain & rectify for the future?? I can not really say not knowing how he runs his whole business. Lack of no one else responding here suprises me. Also make sure you are talking to the actual owner vs. an employee.
I do not work in my husband's business, but I know this is one subject that irks him to no end. So many people see nothing wrong with this I suppose.

But we had businesses in our area actually get "shopped" and the offenders were listed on front page of the newspapers. I have no idea what the fines were, but most these places are no longer in business.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would not let the 3 kids to feed influence you. If wrong, he is wrong. May need further checking as said, but many who have responsilities of one sort or another do wrong and should be duly dealt with. JMO.

 

[Amberle3]

The bigger question to this is ... if he's doing this with the software, then how many other things is he being less than truthful about? And if you have any trouble with the software, or potentially the hardware, you're SOL in terms of support.

I would not only tell Microsoft about it, I'd tell the local police about it. And I'd see if you can get your money back from the "dealer" and get a new computer from some place that really is reputable.

I have loaned software to friends etc for them to try, if they happen to copy it for themselves while it's out of my possession then well that's something I don't know about. But to intentially, illegally, sell pirated software and defraud the customer, that's something else entirely.

I mean think about it - illegal, and fraud. You can't trust this guy.

 

[mep319]

I'm not sure who sold you the software...a sales person/manager etc. That for me would make a difference in how I handled it. If it is just a "kid" and not the owner/manager ...I would first bring it to the attention of the store manager & request that they also contact his parents. I would do that on the condition that you will turn him into Microsoft if they do not handle it.... I wouldn't turn him directly into Microsoft just yet. I cannot say that I have not benefited in the past in some sharing but what he did really crossed the line...even for me! Kidding! And do to it from his job is just plan crazy....he may need to learn a lesson but if you turn him into Microsoft you could be costing his parents big $$$ too...for something they may not be aware of or certainly would not approve of. If it is the owner/manager/operator of the store...I would definately turn him in.

 

[Otto's Doll]

This needs to be reported. This is one of the reasons why we pay so much for software...because of people who pirate stuff. Same goes for those who copy CD's, DVD's and VCR tapes. It is all illegal!

 

[WDWHound]

As a programmer who has been the victim of piracy, I urge you to report this. If he is on the up and up, he will be able to prove it.

 

[Tiger926]

So my DH, baby and I went to see this guy right before church a few hours ago. What a futile experience that was! I confronted him with my findings and info from Microsoft (I printed off stuff from their website as per Microsoft Piracy rep I spoke with yesterday). Despite what I presented to him, he still maintains that he is allowed to do this. He said he has the same permission as Dell, etc... to do the CDs the way that he wants to. I specifically told him that Microsoft said otherwise, and showed him the documents that I brought with me, but he wasn't interesed. He then again swore that he gets the license keys straight from Microsoft, and admitted that they come in separately. Again, I told him that this is not allowed. The only thing he offered us was to sell us the Microsoft hologram CD for another $125.00. We left his store feeling very confused and frustrated.

Basically, my DH and I fed up with the whole situation. I mentioned that Microsoft wants me to report him and he didn't seem worried at all. We are going to sleep on it, and call Microsoft again on Monday for more clarification and perhaps I'll have to report him so that they can investigate. We are worried about it, and resent the fact that as honest customers we have been dragged into this mess.

Thanks for all replies. I'd be interested to hear what you think after you read his responses!

Tiger