A COMPUTER software company has paid tribute to an online trader who discovered he had been unwittingly supplying customers with counterfeit Microsoft software produced in China.
Microsoft said Paul Rowling, the owner of monitorshop.co.uk, based in Middlesbrough, has been extremely supportive in its investigation.
He provided the company with information on the software's source as well as details of all customers who bought the software from him.
The shop has helped Microsoft recover all pirate copies of Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 it sold, worth £7,000, and has paid for replacement software.
The company, in Corporation Road, obtained the supplies from what it thought was a legitimate Chinese firm.
The counterfeits came to light after a customer raised suspicions.
Mr Rowling said: "Monitorshop.co.uk has been in business just over two years and we have prided ourselves on providing top-quality software, hardware and gadgets at reasonable prices.
"We were shocked to find out that the software we had been selling was counterfeit and apologise unreservedly to any customers affected.
"We have done everything in our powers to put the situation right and will continue to assist Microsoft while investigations continue."
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