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Kuwaiti Ministry of Information Intensifies Efforts to Reduce Software Piracy Rate

Posted on: Thursday, 5 January 2006, 15:00 CST

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Information has intensified efforts to bring down software piracy rate in the country and has strengthened its association with Business Software Alliance (BSA), the organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, in order to ensure protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

As part of their decision to more vigorously pursue the anti- piracy drive, the Ministry of Information and BSA will work closely together to ensure strict enforcement of IPR and copyright laws in the country and step up vigil against illegal software trade. In addition, the two entities will widen the scope of their awareness campaigns to educate more segments of society on the perils of software piracy.

"For Kuwait to achieve its true potential, it is imperative that the threat of software piracy is effectively tackled," said H.E. Ibrahim Abdel Mehsen Al Nouh, Assistant Undersecretary for Press and Publications Affairs, Kuwaiti Ministry of Information. "To reduce piracy rate amidst an influx of new PC users and widespread adoption of IT solutions poses a significant challenge. This makes it necessary for the Ministry to collaborate with organizations such as BSA, which is dedicated to the cause of IPR protection."

Jawad Al Redha, Chairman, BSA Middle East, "BSA is committed to bring down the piracy rate in Kuwait, and we will work closely with the Ministry of Information to ensure that IPR laws are continued to be enforced vigorously in the country. Simultaneously, we will organize more awareness campaigns and educational programs targeted at specific society segments."

"The extent of harm caused by software piracy is not fully comprehended by many people. Through our public awareness campaigns, we will highlight the adverse effects of software piracy at the individual and organization level as well as on the national economy," Al Redha added.

Al Nouh said, "Reduction of software piracy will send out a positive message to the rest of the world, which will help bring significant IT investments to Kuwait. This, in turn, would result in the creation of more employment opportunities and bring in more tax revenues."

According to the Economic Impact Study 2005 brought out by International Data Corporation (IDC), Kuwait can double the size of its IT industry to US$ 830 million by reducing piracy rate by 10 percentage points from the current rate of 68 per cent. The 10- point reduction in piracy level could increase local IT industry revenues by US$ 219 million.

The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace BSA helps governments and consumers understand how software strengthens the economy, worker productivity and global development and how its further expansion hinges on the successful fight against software piracy and Internet theft. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.

BSA members include: 4D, Adobe, Agfa-Monotype, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, BVRP Software, Centennial, Cisco Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Grupo SP, Entrust, HiT Internet Technologies, HP, IBM, iInventory, Intel, Intergraph, Internet Security Systems, Intuit, LMS International, Macromedia, Magix, Mamut, McAfee, Microsoft, Microstar, Nemetschek, O&O Software, OWG, Panda Software, Realviz, RSA Security, SIA, SolidWorks, Staff & Line, Sybase, Symantec, TeamSystem, Trend Micro, UGS PLM Solutions, VERITAS Software, Visma, WRQ. 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: Al Bawaba

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