A Belleville computer resale and repair service is among 30 businesses named in copyright infringement lawsuits that Microsoft Corp. has filed in federal court Monday.

The company, Computek, said the allegations are not true. It has hired an attorney and is investigating.

Computek, 1311 W. Main St. in Belleville, was accused in the lawsuits of allegedly dealing counterfeit versions of the Washington-based company's Windows and Office programs.

"They are selling you what you think is Windows and Office, and you're paying for Windows and Office but don't get Windows and Office," Microsoft senior attorney Mary Jo Schrade said.

Brian Heine, who has owned Computek for the past three years, said his business' has a clean record and outstanding reputation.

"(Microsoft) gave us no information of names, complaints or dollar amounts," Heine said. "We are a very intensive repair company. We don't sell much. What we do sell, we cross our T's and dot our I's. We pay for Microsoft.

"This is all we know," he added. "We never received any complaints from the Better Business Bureau."

Records from the Better Business Bureau in St. Louis, which serves eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, shows Computek has a "satisfactory" record with no complaints logged.

Schrade said Microsoft can collect as much as $150,000 for each count of copyright infringement and $1 million for each count of trademark infringement.

Schrade said Microsoft receives information about alleged piracy from consumers who contact the company online and over a hot line. She said Microsoft also conducts a secret shopper program to police businesses. Those found in violation are issued a warning letter from Microsoft stating potential legal action if the problem isn't resolved.

"Someone might say 'Microsoft is so big. Why are they going after small guys?'" she said. "Well, the small guys that are honest will never be able to stay in business if Microsoft doesn't address the piracy problem."

Schrade said the company filed 31 lawsuits over piracy during the first six months of the year, but has more than tripled that output with 94 suits filed since July 1.