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BSA commends 25 software dealers in UAE

DUBAI - The Business Software Alliance (BSA) recently honoured 25 software dealers in the UAE for showing strong commitment to combating software piracy by signing the 'Code of Ethics'. BSA, the organisation that represents the interests of global software developers drafted the 'Code of Ethics' which lays down that the signatories would 'neither commit or tolerate the manufacture or use of distribution of unlicensed software' and 'would only supply licensed software to customers.'

The 25 software dealers that signed the Code of Ethics were presented with certificates by Mr Juma Al Leem, director of Ministry of Information for Northern Emirates at a recent ceremony hosted by BSA in Dubai.

Al Leem said: "The UAE government has demonstrated strong commitment to the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by introducing legislation and following it up with concrete action against offenders. This has led to considerable reduction in software piracy and boosted the confidence of global software developers to make investments in the region's software industry.''

Al Leem also added BSA's efforts in this direction have already brought commendable results. I am confident that the combined efforts of the government, organisations like BSA and dealers and distributors will ultimately ensure the end of piracy.''

Software piracy in the past few years has decreased considerably in most countries of the region with UAE leading the countries that have countered the piracy threat by registering a 36-point drop in piracy rates. BSA has stepped up its anti-piracy campaign, of which the Code of Ethics is the latest effort.

Jawad Al Redha, co-chairman, BSA Middle East,said: "The signing of the Code of Ethics by software dealers in the UAE is an important development for the IT market in the country, as well as in the rest of the Middle East. Software dealers are willing to publicly declare their commitment to selling original software. It also marks their acceptance of the role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in promoting research and development within the software industry."

With dealers willing to educate end-users on the benefits of investing in original licensed software, the pirate will find it difficult to swim against the current and will have to curtail his activities.