E-waste recycler hit with 15-month prison sentence for selling Windows restore discs

Eric Lundgren, a prominent eastward-waste recycler, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and hit with a $50,000 fine for producing thousands of Windows restore discs, The Washington Mail service reports. The judgement comes as an appeals court upheld a previous determination, ruling that his infringement cost Microsoft $700,000.

From The Washington Post:

The appeals court upheld a federal commune guess'southward ruling that the disks made by Eric Lundgren to restore Microsoft operating systems had a value of $25 apiece, fifty-fifty though they could be downloaded free and could be used only on computers with a valid Microsoft license. The U.S. Courtroom of Appeals for the 11th Circuit initially granted Lundgren an emergency stay of his prison sentence, presently before he was to surrender, but then affirmed his original 15-month judgement and $50,000 fine without hearing oral argument in a ruling issued April 11.

In all, Lundgren had produced 28,000 restore discs and planned to sell them for 25 cents apiece to computer refurbishers. The idea was that refurbishers could then provide the discs to people ownership computers so that they wouldn't have to go through the hassle of creating their own restore discs.

Ultimately, the discs were seized past U.S. customs officers in 2022 and were never sold. Lundgren and a Florida banker he was dealing with, Robert Wolff, were charged with conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and criminal copyright infringement every bit office of a government sting, The Washington Post reports.

Restore CDs are typically provided for free with computers that are loaded with a licensed version of Windows, and the software can exist downloaded for costless. The license itself is ultimately what costs coin, and users would demand a valid license to use the restore discs. Through Lundgren pleaded guilty, he argued that the discs had no value. The courtroom ultimately ruled that the value of the discs came in at $25 apiece.

In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft said:

Microsoft actively supports efforts to address e-waste and has worked with responsible e-recyclers to recycle more than 11 million kilograms of e-waste since 2006. Unlike most e-recyclers, Mr. Lundgren sought out apocryphal software which he disguised as legitimate and sold to other refurbishers. This apocryphal software exposes people who buy recycled PCs to malware and other forms of cybercrime, which puts their security at risk and ultimately hurts the market for recycled products.

Lundgren told The Washington Postal service that he'south been given a couple of weeks to get his affairs in order before surrendering. However, he worries that the case has set a precedent for companies to pursue those like him who are seeking to extend the life of older computers.

"I am going to prison, and I've accepted it," Lundgren told The Washington Post. "What I'm not okay with is people not agreement why I'm going to prison. Hopefully my story can smoothen some low-cal on the e-waste material epidemic we accept in the Us, how wasteful we are. At what betoken do people stand up up and say something? I didn't say something, I merely did it."

Oh Dear

New report reveals Microsoft'due south future AR strategy; HoloLens three is expressionless

Business concern Insider has today published a follow-upwards report with more details well-nigh Microsoft'southward canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a set of screens inside, powered past a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for Yard-8 Windows PCs

Starting at just $250, Microsoft's starting time foray into affordable laptops for the education marketplace is a winner. With a gorgeous design, fantabulous thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do correct to sell this direct to consumers as well. Let's just hope Intel tin make a better CPU.

Best deals on Xbox headsets

Our top picks for Xbox headsets below $100

Do yous fancy a new Xbox 1 headset? Do you fancy not spending more than than $100? Let us help! There'south a large range of solid audio options without breaking your budget. And here are our top picks that nosotros've personally used.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/e-waste-recycler-hit-15-month-prison-sentence-selling-windows-restore-discs

Posted by: thiesputed1978.blogspot.com

Share this post