The LA Times series on software conterfeiting continues today with an article about how computer companies are footing part of the bill for cracking down on counterfeiters. Interestingly, it’s against the law for the federal agencies (like the FBI) to take corporate money to act as mercenaries on their behalf, so the companies are doling out the dollars to local agencies to roam around the country cracking down on software pirates. Perhaps some victims of violent crime could get together and buy the police more guns and police cars, so that they can get more attention paid to their cases.