Microsoft Corp. issued the following statement by senior attorney Bonnie MacNaughton applauding the U.S. Department of Justice�s conviction of defendants in a software industry criminal conspiracy:

�Microsoft applauds the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan for the conviction of three individuals involved in a scheme to defraud Microsoft of millions of dollars by obtaining discounted software under false pretenses. The conviction of these individuals is a significant victory for the software industry, its partners and customers, and all who value fair and ethical business practices.

�The defendants� criminal fraud was perpetrated against Microsoft�s academic program, which is designed to benefit academic institutions and students by providing them with software at deeply discounted prices. It took the hard work and collaborative efforts of law enforcement as part of Operation Cyberstorm to investigate and prosecute this case. Microsoft is extremely grateful to the U.S. Attorney�s Office, the FBI, the San Jose Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Customs Service, the Fremont Police Department, and the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team Task Force (REACT) for the support of its intellectual property rights.

�The conviction announced by the Department of Justice shows how criminal activity can be stopped when the dedicated professionals working in federal, state and local law enforcement agencies collaborate in the fight against software piracy and other illegal business practices.�