ELK GROVE, Calif., Feb. 2, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- While many automotive repair shop owners know that copying and/or distributing copyrighted software illegally is considered piracy, what they may not be aware of is that even possession of software that has been illegally copied is piracy.
To protect their customers and product integrity, ALLDATA(r) is aggressively pursuing civil and criminal action against all software pirates. "ALLDATA has a zero tolerance policy on software piracy," says Susan Slish, Product Security Program Manager, ALLDATA LLC. "In addition to continually improving our software's internal security, we investigate all leads regarding the unlicensed distribution of our products." Susan adds, "We want criminals to know that they will be caught and prosecuted."
Recently, two individuals, Andy T. Tran and Vu P. Nguyen from Business Computer Solutions in Long Beach, California, were charged with copyright infringement. They were sentenced to five years' felony probation, restitution to be paid to ALLDATA over a 5 year period and 60 days of community service.
According to the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the software industry annually loses about $12 billion world wide from piracy -- $2 billion in North America alone.(1) To combat this problem, several federal agencies, such as: the U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Senate Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Department of Justice maintain software piracy divisions. Their sole purpose is to track down and prosecute software pirates and cyber criminals, including those who use unlicensed software, either ignorantly or deliberately.
Using pirated software can also be risky. Aside from the legal consequences related to pirated software, users also forfeit many practical benefits of authentic software. Those who use pirated software:
* Increase the chances that the software will not function
correctly or will fail completely
* Forfeit access to customer support, upgrades, technical
documentation, training and bug fixes
* Have no warranty protection
* Increase their risk of exposure to a debilitating virus that
can destroy valuable data
* May find that the software is actually an outdated version,
a beta (test) version, or a nonfunctioning copy
* Are subject to significant fines for copyright infringement
* Risk potential negative publicity resulting in loss of business
Don't be fooled! If the price of the software is too good to be true, the chances are it is illegal or unlicensed. In addition, pirated software packaging can look very similar to the genuine product. To be certain you are receiving authentic ALLDATA products, buy only from an authorized ALLDATA representative.
(1) Information source: SIIA website, http://www.siia.net/piracy, December 23, 2006
About AutoZone's ALLDATA
ALLDATA is the leading provider of automotive repair information and solutions to the Professional Automotive Service Industry. Professional automotive repair shops across North America depend on ALLDATA for their automotive repair information needs and purchase AutoZone parts from more than 2,000 AutoZone Commercial program locations. The ALLDATA(r) subscription, available online and on DVD, includes comprehensive, factory-correct repair information, the ALLDATA ServiceCenter(sm) shop management program, and aftermarket parts estimating and electronic ordering with the AZ Parts(sm) Catalog and AZ PartsConnect(sm) features. ALLDATA subscriptions also offer ProCarCareZone(sm) web-based shop marketing tools to bring in new and repeat business. The ALLDATA(r) DIY product provides consumers with repair articles, factory technical service bulletins, and illustrations for a specific make, model and year of vehicle, along with a link to ALLDATA-approved repair shops. New Find-A-Shop(sm) services allow website visitors to research professional automotive shops and schedule appointments online. Visit www.autozone.com or www.alldata.com for more information.
About AutoZone:
As of November 18, 2006, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 3,812 AutoZone stores in the United States and 100 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information and auto and light truck parts through www.autozone.com.