Technology Supermarkets and Freetrader Publications - which ran Melbourne computer swapmeets and Computer Trader magazine - have shut down following threats of legal action.
A note on one of its websites said the owners of both companies, Max and Dorothea Morton, had ceased trading, blaming allegations of piracy and threats of legal action for the closure.
"Max and Dorothea have been receiving a significant amount of harassment by lawyers acting in relation to the sale of counterfeit goods at the swapmeets and by Computer Trader," the note reads.
"The allegations are untrue and the threats are without foundation ... Max and Dorothea have always been at pains to operate their businesses within the law and with integrity and transparency."
The Mortons could not be reached for comment but the note goes on to say that the allegations and threats had been "very stressful and detrimental" to their health and "general wellbeing".
The businesses had been operating for around 16 years.
Some Victorian IT dealers, including Computer Talk proprietor, Andrew Hogan, welcomed news of the closure.
"I had so many people coming in looking for help after buying cheap stuff'," he said.
Unique Infotech director, Matt Careri, said the closure was probably good news for resellers.
"We had a lot of customers who came in and would work out what they want and price something and, depending on cost, they would often try the swapmeets," he said.
The impact on Unique Infotech wasn't large, as its main business was corporate customers, but Careri said small retailers with a consumer focus had probably suffered.
Fleur Doidge 13 September, 2007
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