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Drive intensified against pirated software users

Two computers operating on illegally copied Windows XP, Office XP 2003, and Norton Anti Virus, besides 15 pirated CDs were also confiscated during the raids.

The raids were carried out following a tip-off by the Arabian Anti-piracy Alliance (AAA) with whom the UAE authorities work in close cooperation in their battle against piracy.

Scott Butler, chief executive officer, AAA, said: “The UAE government has been strictly enforcing IPR laws, which call for stringent punishments to violators. These laws mandate companies and individuals to keep evidence of the authenticity of their software."

"AAA is working closely with the UAE's various government institutions, private sector companies and civil committees to ensure adherence to IPR, as it constitutes a major pillar of the national economy," he added.

The authorities regularly conduct awareness campaigns targeted at distributors, companies and end-users, with the aim to educate the public about the detrimental effects of using pirated software such as poor PC performance and possible loss of valuable data due to corruption of the files.

According to the annual piracy report by Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, the UAE has maintained a piracy rate of just 34 per cent in the year 2004.

This significantly low piracy level has prompted many multinational IT companies to increase investment in the UAE as well as to open their regional headquarters in the country.

Butler concluded saying that countries which are committed to protecting IPR and restricting software piracy boost their credibility on the international level, generate employment, attract more foreign investment and increase economic growth, besides accelerating the growth of the national IT industry.