The suits were part of a big new push to eradicate piracy of the world’s most popular software programs and buoy consumer confidence on the eve of a major new product launch. Microsoft is on the verge of releasing new versions of Windows, its operating system, and Office, its word-processing and office management software package.
Five of the suits are directed at suspected software pirates in the UK. Fifteen are in the United States. Other countries affected include Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Australia and Argentina.
Microsoft said it had worked with eBay to identify users allegedly abusing their account privileges to sell counterfeit software. Each had got a written warning before receiving a lawsuit.
