CINCINNATI -- Microsoft Corp. today announced legal actions against two Cincinnati-area software resellers for the alleged distribution of counterfeit software and/or the infringement of Microsoft software. The company has taken these steps to protect consumers from the inherent harms of acquiring counterfeit software, as well as to prevent them from spending their money on bogus software. "We lose a significant portion of our business every year to disreputable resellers who sell pirated software," said Gina Marie Susana, account executive with Business Equipment Co. in Cincinnati. "This campaign not only accelerates action against piracy but also encourages businesses to make sure they clearly understand licensing agreements so they can avoid breaking the law." The lawsuits allege that, despite previous requests from Microsoft to stop, the defendants persisted in distributing counterfeit software and/or infringing copies of Microsoft software to customers and/or Microsoft investigators.