SIIA Says 21-Month Federal Jail Sentence for Software Pirate Demonstrates Consequences of Software Piracy

SIIA Initiated Action Against Counterfeiter Responsible for Cheating Nearly 8,000 Consumers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, today called the sentencing of convicted software pirate Matthew Purse a major victory and an indication of how seriously the justice system treats software piracy. Purse was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in federal prison. He also received 3 years probation and $12,000 in fines and restitution.

SIIA initially discovered several massive software piracy schemes and began an investigation that eventually led to the indictment and conviction of Purse.  SIIA forwarded the results of its investigation to the U.S. Department of Justice and other government agencies, and then worked closely with them to pursue Purse and others involved in the piracy schemes.  On February 26, 2009, Purse pled guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and criminal copyright infringement. Purse and his accomplice, Christopher Loring Walters who remains a fugitive, engaged in the illegal mass duplication of software and sold it using various eBay accounts and commercial websites, such as SoftwareDiner.com.

Following Purse's sentencing in Phoenix federal court, Keith Kupferschmid, SIIA Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property Policy & Enforcement, issued the following statement:

"Anyone who thinks software piracy isn't taken seriously should pay close attention to the Matthew Purse case.  The 21-month jail term that he will serve is a warning to all would-be counterfeiters that the crime carries steep costs and real consequences. When SIIA uncovers software piracy, the offenders often end up paying thousands of dollars in damages.  And as Mathew Purse found out, SIIA's investigations can also lead to jail time for these software pirates."

"Matthew Purse duped nearly 8,000 unsuspecting consumers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He and Christopher Walters cheated software companies such as Adobe, Symantec, Apple, Corel, Intuit and many others out of millions of dollars in revenue.  Like so many others who sell pirated software online or make illegal copies in the workplace, at least Matthew Purse is now finding out that the justice system takes this crime seriously."

"SIIA leads the industry's most aggressive campaign against software piracy.  Through our own efforts, and through working with the Department of Justice and other government agencies, we pursue and stop pirates operating in the workplace and on the Internet.  Our Internet Anti-Piracy Program continues to identify and shut down sites that peddle pirated software and helps make sure those responsible are brought to justice."

About SIIA

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 500 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit: www.siia.net.

About SIIA Anti-Piracy

The Software & Information Industry Association's Anti-Piracy Division conducts a comprehensive, industry-wide campaign to fight software and content piracy. The proactive campaign is premised on the notion that one must balance enforcement with education in order to be effective.

SIIA Communications Contact: John Crosby, 202-789-4469, [email protected]

PR Agency Contact: Beth Dozier, 202-429-1883, [email protected]

SOURCE Software & Information Industry Association