Dubai: Microsoft Gulf yesterday announced that the UAE authorities have confiscated several copies of allegedly pirated Microsoft Windows and Office software at a reseller store in the city. Following the raid, Microsoft and the reseller reached an out-of-court civil settlement.
The reseller has undertaken not to distribute any counterfeit or unlicenced Microsoft product in future or to aid any third party to do so. The reseller in question also paid damages as material compensation for copyright violations.
Jawad Al Reda, IPR Manager, Microsoft Gulf said, "We congratulate the UAE government authorities in their efforts to curb software piracy in the UAE. Microsoft takes the issue of the pirated software very seriously, as many consumers, businesses and resellers are adversely affected by the use of counterfeit software every year. We will continue to step up our efforts to increase awareness about the value of intellectual property rights as a driver of economic growth and encourage respect for intellectual property in the region."
Microsoft continues to educate customers and partners about the adverse effects of software piracy on the local economy. The company continues to create awareness about the risks posed to customers when using pirated or counterfeit software.
