Novell Awarded Judgment in Internet Piracy Lawsuit

California Man Ordered to Pay Novell More Than $600,000

9 January 2001

Novell, Inc., the leading provider of Net services software, announced that it has been awarded more than $600,000 in its case against Chris Bonner of Davis, California. Novell brought the suit against Bonner in September of 1999.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleged that Bonner used several alias accounts on eBay's auction site as a vehicle to distribute unlicensed copies of Novell's Net services software. Novell contends that Bonner conducted more than 40 illegal auctions of its software over a six-month period. During its investigation and prior to filing suit, Novell investigators met with Bonner and asked him to discontinue the illegal activity. Bonner agreed to do so and gave to Novell what he represented at the time to be the remainder of the infringing product. Investigators soon learned thereafter that Bonner was continuing to distribute infringing product and had opened nearly 20 more auctions.

"This type of business practice is not only damaging to our sales channel, which is trying to compete fairly, but it also confuses and harms the honest customers who are seeking to acquire legitimate, licensed software," stated Josie Parry, senior vice-president and general counsel for Novell.

Novell's Anti-Piracy Group, which includes a dedicated Internet Piracy Unit, investigates complaints of software piracy including the illegal use and distribution of Novell's copyrighted software and other materials, as well as the unauthorized use of Novell's trademarks. The Anti-Piracy Group is committed to ensuring that Novell customers receive legitimate, licensed software and that Novell partners receive the appropriate revenues for the distribution of Novell software. To report instances of software piracy or for related inquiries, please visit the anti-piracy Web site at www.novell.com/piracy or email pirates@novell.com. The Anti-Piracy Group also maintains a toll-free hotline at 1-800 PIRATES (800-747-2837).

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL), is the leading provider of Net services software that delivers services to secure and power all types of networks the Internet, intranets, and extranets; wired to wireless; corporate and public across leading operating systems. Novell's Net services software provides the foundation for one Net a single global network that supports new applications and forms of business. Worldwide channel, consulting, education and technical support programs, along with strategic alliances, combine Novell Net services software with third-party products and services to form complete Net solutions.

For information on Novell's complete range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com. Press may access Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom. In addition, detailed comparisons between Novell products and competitive offerings from other vendors are available on the Web at http://www.novell.com/competitive.

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