Business | Technology
Grip on software piracy tightens
Two retailers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are caught selling fake Microsoft products
- By Naushad K. Cherrayil, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 22, 2010
- Image Credit: Supplied
- Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdulaziz Al Shihhi
Dubai: The Ministry of Economy yesterday cracked down on two retailers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi selling pirated copies of Microsoft software.
"Software piracy is a serious and extremely damaging issue that affects the prospects of the software industry, the local economies, and software users. We are committed to working with organisations such as Microsoft to combat software piracy in the UAE. It is our mandate to protect intellectual property rights, and thus strengthen market confidence. We will continue to take appropriate action to curb software piracy," Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shihhi, director general of the Ministry of Economy, said in a statement.
Criminal investigation is under way against the resellers.
Jawad Al Redha, Anti-Piracy Manager for Microsoft Gulf, told Gulf News that the authorities are tightening their grip on counterfeit products. "We will take all necessary actions to clamp down on piracy," he said.
The authorities are monitoring the market to see what is displayed on the shelves and sold, he added.
The UAE is the only country in the Arab world to be in the top 25 because of stringent laws and punishment.
The UAE's software piracy level remained the same last year at 36 per cent compared to 2008 despite strong growth in PC usage and internet penetration while the value fell 8.82 per cent to $155 million (Dh569 million).
"The UAE Government has been taking a very tough stand against violators of intellectual property rights and Business Software Alliance (BSA) has been working closely with the government to ensure that the piracy laws are strictly enforced and businesses understand the risks," Al Redha said.
Awareness campaign
As part of efforts to raise awareness, Microsoft Gulf will be working closely with the UAE Ministry of Justice's Institute of Judicial Training and Studies to create public awareness on intellectual property rights (IPR) and their protection.
Chancellor Dr Mohammad Mahmoud Al Kamali, director-general of the institute, said the board of directors has approved the partnership with Microsoft Gulf. He explained the move will encourage in-depth scientific research in the IPR field and complements the institute's goal of developing the knowledge and capabilities of its trainees.
Al Redha said: "The initiative comes in line with our efforts to protect creative work and further develop intellectual, scientific and technological production, which is the basis for achieving overall national development.
"We are pleased to cooperate with the Institute of Judicial Training and Studies, which we consider a key supporter of our awareness and educational campaigns. Together we hope to spread more awareness on intellectual property protection and the prevention of cyber crimes as we pursue the establishment of an integrated knowledge-based digital society."
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