BSA plans anti-piracy drive at Gitex show

DUBAI — Business Software Alliance (BSA) will launch a public awareness campaign on the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) at Gitex Dubai 2004 exhibition to be held from October 3 to 7 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Tue 14 Sep 2004, 9:24 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 2:46 PM

BSA's presence at Computer Shopper 2004, the retail arm of Gitex Dubai 2004 and the region's largest consumer exhibition for IT products and services to be held in Airport Expo Dubai between October 2 to 8, is aimed at highlighting the benefits of using original software and the influence it has on raising creativity, productivity and quality of work.

The BSA has planned to organise massive information and awareness campaigns targeted at the visitors and traders through distribution of flyers and information packs and online quizzes. The campaign will run throughout the Gitex and aims to educate resellers and end-users about the benefits of using original software and offer practical tips and resources for better software management. In addition, the BSA has advised the exhibitors at Computer Shopper 2004 to ensure that all the software they are selling is original. BSA's watchdog committee will monitor the sale and usage of software during the show and prevent any illegal trading activity.

“Gitex presents an ideal opportunity for the BSA to highlight that software piracy harms not only software developers but also national economies and local employment prospects,” said Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman, Middle East, Business Software Alliance.

“The use of legal software brings tangible benefits to the user, in term of productivity, efficiency and creativity. They can also make use of a wide array of services, besides using the original software itself, such as detailed user manuals and documentation, training and support services, expert trouble-shooting advice, repairs, updates and security notifications and reap the benefits offered by the digital economy,” said Mr Al Redha.

“As the Middle East region stands at the threshold of an IT revolution, it is vital for the regional governments to give high priority to reducing software piracy, if the region were to integrate with global economy and reap the benefits of a strong IT industry,” he added.

Software piracy continues to pose a serious threat to economic development in several parts of the world. The recently published IDC-BSA study has revealed that 36 per cent of all the software installed in computers worldwide during 2003 was pirated, amounting to losses to the tune of $ 28 billion.

Significantly, the UAE achieved remarkable results in controlling piracy in 2003 with levels of 34 per cent. UAE's strong commitment to intellectual property rights has led to several global IT players making the country their operations hub for the Middle East and North Africa region, further raising its profile.

“The increased participation at events like Gitex by leading international and regional IT companies reflects the ideal UAE business climate, besides highlighting the country's strong commitment to protecting IPR laws,” said Mr Al Redha. “We hope that other regional governments will achieve the same successes in implementing IPR laws as that of the UAE.”