It’s clear that Microsoft has been monitoring an infringer who made headlines last year when he was hit with a substantial damage award for selling pirated Microsoft software. At the time Mr. Cerrelli, the director of the corporate defendant, was personally liable due to his direct involvement and knowledge of the copyright infringement.  As an update to our earlier post, the Quebec man last week pled guilty to contempt of court for side-stepping the original Federal Court order and selling pirated software through a different company.  He was fined $100,000 for contempt and faces jail time if the fines are not paid. 

Calgary - 10:00 MST

Many Canadian companies are hoping that sales to China’s growing consumer class will help cushion the blow of the US economic downturn. Any penetration into the Chinese market will inevitably involve brand battles for consumer products. Take this recent example, where a Chinese distiller was fined for infringing the famous Johnnie Walker Black Label brand. The competing products are pictured - one the original brand and one a Chinese product sold under the brand “Polonius - 12 Years”.  Last month a Chinese court fined the Chinese company 1.25 million yuan (about $225,000 CAD) for infringement of the trade-mark and distinctive shape of the bottle. 

Calgary - 15:30 MST