Microsoft’s landmark copyright lawsuit in China has descended into farce after the opening day with the judge adjourning the court and not setting a date for it to continue following new evidence from the defense.
The case originated a year ago when Microsoft investigators said they discovered more than 50 computers installed with pirated Microsoft software at the Yadu Science and Technology Group. Initially, Microsoft only demanded a public apology and 1.5m yuan ($181,000) in damages, but brought suit in May when Yadu refused the settlement offer.
However, lawyers for the defendant claim it is all a case of mistaken identity. They say Yadu Science and Technology Group shared office space with another company, Yadu Science and Technology Company Limited. They said Yadu Science and Technology Group was located on the third, fourth and fifth floors, but according to the evidence Microsoft investigators found the illegally loaded computers on the sixth floor, which was occupied by Yadu Science and Technology Company Ltd.
They also said two engineers investigated by Microsoft were not on staff with Yadu Science and Technology Group, but were employees of Yadu Science and Technology Company. Therefore, they argued, all evidence submitted by Microsoft should be regarded as false.
What had been regarded by many as an open and shut case, now appears to be rather more shut than open.
