Microsoft, the creator of Windows operating system, has just filed a legal complaint against U.K.’s Comet retail company.
“As detailed in the complaint filed today, Comet produced and sold thousands of counterfeit Windows CDs to unsuspecting customers in the United Kingdom,” said David Finn, associate general counsel, Worldwide Anti-Piracy and Anti-Counterfeiting at Microsoft. “Comet’s actions were unfair to customers. We expect better from retailers of Microsoft products – and our customers deserve better, too.”
Microsoft believes that the retailer has been selling counterfeit copies of Windows XP and Windows Vista, which are allegedly manufactured at a factory in Hampshire. Comet has reportedly sold over 94,000 copies to U.K. customers.
The retailer, however, has denied the allegations made by software giant. In response to Microsoft’s legal action, they have come up with the following statements -
“We note that proceedings have been issued by Microsoft Corporation against Comet relating to the creation of recovery discs by Comet on behalf of its customers.”
“Comet has sought and received legal advice from leading counsel to support its view that the production of recovery discs did not infringe Microsoft’s intellectual property.
“Comet firmly believes that it acted in the very best interests of its customers. It believes its customers had been adversely affected by the decision to stop supplying recovery discs with each new Microsoft Operating System based computer. Accordingly Comet is satisfied that it has a good defence to the claim and will defend its position vigorously.”
Now, it’s going to be an interesting legal case as both the companies are geared up to fight against each other in court.