On July 10, Microsoft (China) Co., Ltd. has filed lawsuits against 9 Chinese computer resellers in 7 cities for allegedly pre-installing counterfeit and pirated software Windows-series operating systems on their computers. Beijing Tianqing Dongfang Trading Company, Shenzhen Aige Information Technology Company, Guangzhou Xinlingrui Computer technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Pengcheng Industrial Commerce Corporation, Guangzhou Shengyingda Electronic Co., Ltd., Jinan Datang technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing Zhuopin Electronic Co., Ltd., Chongqing Shangda Computer technology Co., Ltd., and Chengdu Shiji Yuanda technology Co., Ltd., were on the list of defendants. 

According to Guan Tingli, senior counsel of Microsoft China, the lawsuits were intended to curb infringement and to alert consumers that there might be a chance they have paid for the genuine but got pirated software when purchasing branded computers. 

"Pre-installing counterfeit software not only violates intellectual property rights, but will also bring hidden trouble to the consumers. In an effort to fight against infringement in distribution, Microsoft is ready to cooperate with the computer manufactures." said Guan.

(China IP News)