Symantec Files Software Piracy Suits

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) todayannounced that it has filed a series of eight civil lawsuits againstdistributors of counterfeit Symantec software, seeking a total of more than$55 million in damages from the cases involved.

The suits were all filed at the United States District Court level in theCalifornia, involving the following businesses in their respective states:Acortech, (California); mPlus, (California); Logical Plus, (New York);SoftwareOutlets.com, (Florida); Rowcal Distribution, (California); GlobalImpact, Inc., (Florida); Directron.com, (Texas); eDirect Software, (Canada).

In the filings, Symantec included claims that the businesses engaged intrademark infringement, copyright infringement, fraud, unfair competition,trafficking in counterfeit labels and documentation, and false advertising.Symantec has asked for a jury trial in each case and is seeking damages inprofits from each entity ranging from $4 million to $10 million in eachclaim.

"The threat posed by these software pirates to users and the safety of theirpersonal and financial online information cannot be overstated," said ScottMinden, director, Legal Affairs, Symantec. "Counterfeit software might notwork properly and damage a user's machine, or it can be loaded with identitytheft programs. Counterfeit software also may not be able to receiveautomatic updates and as a result leave the user vulnerable to new onlinethreats. These software pirates were moving large quantities of counterfeitproduct and, as a result, numerous unsuspecting users are now at risk forhaving their information stolen or lost."

Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC)