ARLINGTON, Va. – (Business Wire) Rosetta Stone Inc. praised police departments in California, Georgia, New Jersey and North Carolina for their efforts in combating software piracy. The Garfield Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey filed criminal charges against John Hegedus for allegedly selling pirated Rosetta Stone® software. Hegedus was arrested on June 24 and August 19 and is charged with violations of the New Jersey Anti-Piracy Act and the Trademark Counterfeiting Act, both of which are punishable by three to five years in jail.
The Mooresville Police Department's narcotics division and the North Carolina Secretary of State coordinated a sting operation on August 19 that led to the arrest of Charles Christopher Ramsey for allegedly distributing counterfeit Rosetta Stone software. Ramsey has been charged with one count of Criminal Trademark and one count of Failure to Disclose True Name and Address.
The Morrow Police Department in Georgia arrested three individuals after discovering they were distributing pirated Rosetta Stone software. Based on the cooperation of the Rosetta Stone legal department, investigators pursued and arrested these individuals. Two of the suspects were also allegedly distributing controlled substances.
Detectives with the Newport Beach Police Department arrested 28 year old Enrique Torres of Newport Beach CA, after receiving a tip that he was selling pirated Rosetta Stone software. Working with the Rosetta Stone legal department, detectives purchased a pirated copy of the language software, executed a search warrant, and seized evidence on October 7, 2009.
"The efforts of these police departments and prosecutors' offices should be a clear warning to those who are engaging in software piracy against Rosetta Stone or any other company," said Michael Wu, general counsel, Rosetta Stone. "Software piracy is theft and we will continue to work vigorously to protect consumers from pirated software by seeking criminal prosecution of those who participate in this fraudulent and illegal activity."