State AGs In The News - March 20th, 2014

Antitrust

Oklahoma Attorney General Sues to End Alleged Software Piracy

• Oklahoma AG Scott Pruitt filed a lawsuit against an oil equipment supply company, Neway Valve Co., alleging that it used pirated software to sell equipment in Oklahoma at artificially low prices and to gain an unfair competitive advantage.
• Neway allegedly stole manufacturing process-related software used by Oklahoma companies and used the pirated software to sell its equipment at lower costs creating an unfair market in violation of the state's Antitrust Reform Act and state common law. The lawsuit is the first of its kind filed in Oklahoma.
• The suit seeks to enjoin Neway's allegedly unlawful business practices, impose civil fines and penalties, and award restitution, monetary damages, investigative costs and fees, and attorney fees.