Software pirate sunk

21 June 2012  

A JOINT operation involving technical information firm Autodata,  Slough Borough Council’s trading standards and the police has resulted in yet another arrest of a rogue trader dealing in pirate Autodata products.

The seller, who operated by offering workshops in the Slough area illegally obtained and out-of-date car repair information, was apprehended last week.

After several tip-offs that the individual had visited garage owners in Slough, the technical information firm were able to compile information on the seller, his activities and his likely routes. With assistance from the police and trading standards, he was eventually caught in the act.

The seller, not from the Slough area, approached existing Autodata customers offering to illegally download the sought-after car repair information. During the police action, the seller’s vehicle was found to be carrying counterfeit products from more than one supplier of technical information, although most belonged to Autodata.

An Autodata spokesman commented: “We are extremely pleased with the quick response of the police and Slough trading standards, after we reported this activity to them. Any cases of Intellectual property crime are taken extremely seriously and often result in arrests.”

Slough Trading standards said: “Trading standards views this type of criminal activity very seriously as there are safety implications. We are still investigating this case and will be for several months.”