Bahrain and BSA step up fight against piracy

Dubai: The Business Software Alliance (BSA) recently joined Bahrain's Ministry of Information in publicly destroying thousands of unlicensed CDs.

Unlicensed CDs were disposed of in the presence of authorities, concerned parties and media after they were confiscated during a series of raids across Bahrain. The move intended to show profiteers the seriousness and scope of the government's anti-piracy campaign. The Bahraini government has been co-ordinating with the BSA on educational programmes to enhance public awareness on the impact of piracy and the consequences to violators of intellectual property rights.

"Bahrain is committed to preventing the various detrimental social and economic effects of software piracy; this highlights our aggressive efforts to establish Bahrain as a piracy-free region," said Jamal Dawood, Director of Publication, Bahrain Ministry of Information.

Both sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2007 to improve the ministry's management of copyright issues.

"Piracy and unlicensed software have become one of the most pervasive crimes of our times and yet much still needs to be done in the region and throughout the world to combat this rapidly-evolving global issue. Our strong partnership with Bahrain is a major step in securing a move towards a piracy-free Arab world," said Jawad Al Redha, BSA co-chairman in the Middle East.