Novell Brings Civil Action Against Texas Computer Reseller For Counterfeiting Software

Killeen, TEXAS -- MARCH 9, 1995 -- Shawn A. Richeson and Annette Richeson of Killeen, Texas, owners of RTI and other related companies, have been named in a civil action allegeding the manufacture and sale of counterfeit software. The action filed by Novell in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas in Waco states that RTI was engaged in the business of making and selling counterfeit copies of Novell software. Until recently, the action had been under seal by the Federal Court.

On November 17, 1994, a search and seizure was executed at RTI's offices in Killeen, Texas by the U.S. Marshall's Service, attorneys for Novell and members of Novell's Anti-Piracy Team. Equipment and counterfeit copies of Novell's WordPerfect Application Group software were seized. The equipment included computers used to manufacture counterfeit software, high-speed disk duplicating machines, and equipment used to shrink wrap the counterfeit packages. Also taken were business records, blank diskettes and third party "how to" books that had been bundled with the counterfeit product.

RTI sold counterfeit copies of Novell's WordPerfect wordprocessing software to the U.S. Army Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. Upon receiving what was supposed to be legitimate WordPerfect software, alert military personnel questioned the authenticity of the product and Novell was subsequently notified.

Novell's aggressive anti-piracy campaign has established itself as a leader in fighting software piracy using both civil and criminal remedies. "This action demonstrates Novell's intention to provide the same level of protection to our application products as we have to our NetWare operating system and other software products," stated Novell Senior Vice President and General Counsel David Bradford. "Novell is expanding it's efforts to support the legitimate sales channel, protect unsuspecting end-users and safeguard it's intellectual property."

For questions, information, or to report suspected software piracy call 1-800-PIRATES.