ELK GROVE, Calif., Sept. 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALLDATA LLC, the leading provider of manufacturers' automotive repair information and solutions for the professional automotive service and collision repair industries, announced the successful prosecution of a software counterfeiting operation.
On June 28, 2011 the ALLDATA Anti-Piracy team in conjunction with the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force concluded a six-month investigation into illegally copied ALLDATA products being sold out of Northern California.
The subject of this investigation was publicly advertising the pirated software in his efforts to distribute it. Undercover officers conversed with the target who agreed to provide the illegal product in exchange for cash. After the actions of the suspect placed him in violation of California law, he was taken into custody.
The efforts of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force in collaboration with the ALLDATA Anti-Piracy Team resulted in the subject being charged with felony counts of Possession / Sale of Counterfeit Articles in reference to penal code 350 (A) (2) which states that the offense involves 1,000 or more articles. On July 27, 2011 the subject pleaded guilty to felony charges in Superior Criminal Court.
"We will not tolerate software piracy," said ALLDATA President Jeff Lagges. "More than 80,000 ALLDATA customers appreciate the value inherent in our software. Our customers trust us as the industry leader, and we owe it to them to protect their investment. Let the pirates be on notice that we will diligently investigate and prosecute every suspected case of counterfeit software."
ALLDATA is dedicated to Anti-Piracy and has a team that actively investigates the illegal copying, sale and distribution of its products. This team works with law enforcement throughout the country to prosecute persons who sell ALLDATA products illegally. In this case, ALLDATA worked with The Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force which includes 32 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
About ALLDATA
ALLDATA, founded in 1986, with more than 80,000 automotive repair and collision shop subscribers, is the leading provider of manufacturers' service and repair information, shop management software and customer relations tools for the automotive repair and collision industries. Professional automotive repair shops across North America depend on ALLDATA for their automotive repair information needs. Visit www.alldata.com for more information.
About AutoZone
As of May 7, 2011, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 4,467 AutoZone stores in 48 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 261 stores in Mexico.
AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, non-automotive products and subscriptions to the ALLDATAdiy product through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.