The Federation Against Software Theft has helped a software manufacturer break up an illegal piracy ring run from a roofer’s home in Cornwall.

The organisation was asked for help by Primal Pictures, which had discovered Philip Rogers was selling counterfeit versions of its software by posing as a buyer.

When FAST challenged Rogers he claimed there was no evidence he had sold Primal the fake disk in question but this was soon overcome due as Primal was both the creator and holder of the copyright.

John Lovelock, chief executive of FAST, warned that any companies selling or using counterfeit software could be at risk of prosecution. “These creative firms are collectively the new ‘staple industries’ of the UK,” he said. “They employ hundreds of thousands of people. If they get ripped off it’s ordinary people that they put out of work, and we are not going to stand for it.”

Rogers has since admitted his guilt and undertaken not to repeat such activity in the future. He may also face legal proceedings