FBI: Man pleads guilty to selling pirated software over the Internet

A New York man pleaded guilty today to criminal copyright infringement for selling more than $250,000 worth of pirated copies of popular software programs, the FBI said.

Robert Cimino, 59, of Syracuse, used online forums to sell discounted software programs, operating under the name "SoftwareSuite." Cimino would often receive payments via PayPal and then send pirated versions of Autodesk, Intuit and Quark programs to customers.

The case comes as the Obama administration tries to develop an intellectual property enforcement strategy for the country. White House IP enforcement coordinator Victoria Espinel is seeking public input about how to best eliminate piracy and counterfeiting.

Business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and technology industry associations, are pushing the White House to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress by the summer.

Cimino, who is scheduled to be sentenced in a U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., on May 28, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office.