Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
DETROIT (AP) — The government says a Florida company will spend more than $6 million in penalties and repair costs for selling computer software that disables automotive emissions controls.
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency say that Derive Systems of Sanford, Florida, sold 363,000 products that violated the Clean Air Act.
In a civil settlement, Derive must pay a $300,000 penalty and spend $6.25 million to fix the products so they don't violate the law. Messages were left Monday seeking comment from Derive.
Government documents say Derive sold the software under the SCT and Bully Dog brands. The government says hand-held products known as "tuners" would overwrite automaker programs. The software would stop catalytic converters, particulate filters and other emissions controls from working.
The company also must stop selling the software.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
