Microsoft joined two other US companies sued a Qingdao company in court for using their software without authorization for commercial purpose. Qingdao Intermediate People's Court ruled 2 million yuan in damages in favor of the three companies on April 16.

Dating to December 9, 2005, when checking computers of the Qingdao company, Qingdao Copyright Administration found software of PTC, Microsoft and Autodesk installed. The Qingdao company failed to produce any document for licensed use. The three companies believed the Qingdao company had used pirated software for commercial purpose and infringed their copyright. After negotiation collapsed, they filed suit.

The Court held, under the Berne Convention to which China and the United States are signatories, and the Chinese copyright legislations, the copyright of the three US companies are protected. It then ruled the Qingdao company to cease infringement and indemnify 2 million yuan in damages.

(China IP News)