Apple, Adobe, others sue Florida man over software piracy

123inkjets.com - Printer Ink, Toner, & More!“Apple has partnered with Adobe and other software makers to take on a Web-based vendor accused of selling stolen software via Craigslist and a private website,” Sam Oliver reports for AppleInsider. “Apple and Adobe are joined by Autodesk and Rosetta Stone in the complaint against Florida resident Edy Jean Dollisme and the website ultimatepcrepairs.webs.com. The lawsuit accuses Dollisme of selling pirated software via Craigslist and the ‘Ultimate PC Repairs’ website.”

“‘Defendant has used various Craigslist seller identities and contact information to advertise his products on that site,’ the complaint reads. ‘Defendant also operates as Ultimate PC Repairs through his own web page located at ultimatepcrepairs.webs.com (the ‘Ultimate PC Website’), where he offers over eighty (80) software titles for sale,'” Oliver reports. “Available on the site are a long list of applications for both PC and Mac, including Apple’s iLife and iWork suites, Final Cut and Snow Leopard. Also listed are Adobe’s Creative Suite, Acrobat, and Illustrator.”

Read more in the full article here.

[Attribution: MacNN. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Lynn W.” for the heads up.]

36 Comments

  1. From the Appleinsider article:
    “Notably, some or all of the infringing copies distributed by Defendant were in the form of burned (i.e., ‘homemade’) DVD+R and CD-R media, with the titles handwritten in marker,”

    ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”LOL” style=”border:0;” />

    A real high-end business, eh?

  2. I love the logic of companies going after individuals for software piracy. It’s not as though someone using pirated software could or can spend hundreds or thousands for the real deal, especially if they are not making any money on it and is a hobbyist. Anyone legitimately making their living from software should pay their way. I’ve always thought a certain amount of piracy is good for business as it expands the user base which eventually, after version upgrades, might translate to sales after proving or not proving it’s worth (I hate to think of all the money I’ve spent on useless software over the years). Like an ultimate version trial demo without restrictions. Of course I am referring to high end stuff, not the low end. And I see why they might go after dealers who are probably making a handsome living. But where one dealer disappears another no doubt takes his place. And then there’s torrent sites, etc.. Like drugs, hard to elusive to control.

  3. I don’t really see a problem with people who cannot afford software using pirated versions. The working poor cannot afford the high price of Adobe products. However, selling pirated software is a whole other issue that is both illegal and morally wrong. For anyone to put up a website and sell pirated software for far less than the legitimate retail price is about a pure example of theft as I can imagine. But installing a copy of your friends’ iLife DVD? Not the same thing – despite what the lawyers say.

  4. I currently can’t afford a TV set. Would you mind leaving your front door open tonight so I can ‘copy’… err, I mean take yours. I’m sure you wouldn’t see the problem with that.

    You have a convoluted view on legality and morality.

  5. I think the legal and moral grounds are dubious given the opportunities to people learning a software that might get them employed using that software legally and for profit. I’m tired of people using real physical merchandise theft and comparing it to virtual items. I understand what you mean and I’m all for companies reaping a profit on their hard work.

    But we’re talking about a small minority who simply wish to learn or have modest needs that don’t justify huge amounts of cash outlay. (And I know some have free learning editions but those are rare.) And there are plenty of software packages out there that are overpriced. There’s no differentiation or model on pricing between modest amateur need and professional reliance and heavy use. Morality on pricing and acquisition goes both ways.

  6. @ Jim -TIV
    “Integrity is who you are when you think no one else is looking…”

    A nice bromide or sentiment ideal but doubtful that 95% of the worlds leaders and CEO’s would be where they are using this as their moral compass.

  7. Some guy tried to sel me FCP
    And said that he could sell it real cheap because he paid a hi “distribution” license fee, something like $2500 – $4000
    He just sold copies of the same licese key over and over again. Can anyone tell me if this is legit also have you ever heard of it?

  8. Love the high and mighty among us who truth be told live less than exemplary lives. Thou doth protest too much!

    No, there is no such general licensing deal on software that enables the seller to sell unlimited copies. If there was we’d see a lot more of it around. That guy tells you lies.

  9. “There used to be a guy on Craigslist (four years ago) offering to sell well below market price MBP’s. Of course those who ordered never received the MBP.”

    I’m sure he just never got around to mailing them. I’m in no rush to get the one I bought from him, I’d only have to pack it up and ship it to my new home,I can wait until I get the deeds for the beach front property I just bought in New Mexico. Sweet….

  10. Anyone who believes that they have the right to the work of others, supports the concept of slavery.

    There is no difference between the physical and the virtual.
    Hell, I’ll put forward the notion it’s worse to steal the virtual, because the virtual includes a person’s thoughts and ideas.
    If you believe you have the right to steal another human’s thoughts and ideas and use them for your own, without compensation, then you’ve joined the ranks of the Orwellian.

    Pirates are nothing more than excuse makers, and no matter the excuses they offer themselves, they’re wrong.

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