Bangkok--21 Jul--Vero Public Relations
A major manufacturing company in Rayong was caught using unlicensed and illegal software on nearly every computer within the business.
ECD police received notice of widespread use of unlicensed software at a 4 billion baht Rayong metal works manufacturer, which is part of Thailand’s auto supply chain. Police found 114 PCs containing software made by Autodesk, Microsoft and Thai Software Enterprises. The software was in use in all departments of the business, including management, human resources and finance. Japanese shareholders own 90 percent of the shares of this company; Thai shareholders own the remaining 10 percent. This case is among the largest cases of illegal software use on record in Thailand.
Police closed the month of May with 21 enforcement raids for use of unlicensed software in businesses, finding a total of 260 PCs loaded with illegal software, some of which is high value software with a commercial value of more than one hundred thousand baht. Despite a price-point of approximately 300 baht, the dictionary program made by Thai Software Enterprises is among the most frequently pirated products in Thailand.
In addition to the raid of the Rayong manufacturer, numerous other businesses were raided for unlicensed software in the month of May. These include companies in the following industries: research, sales, design, manufacturing, construction, real estate, transport, engineering and business consulting. Manufacturing companies were among those found most frequently in May with illegal software. Manufacturers of machinery, lighting products, furniture, electronics, auto parts and rubber products were among those found using unlicensed software in business operations.
Through the first five months of 2014, police have raided nearly 100 companies for using illegal software on 987 PCs.
“Illegal software use by business is not only a violation of Thailand’s Copyright Act B.E. 2537, but a major threat to cyber security,” said ECD Deputy Commander and Spokesperson Chainarong Charoenchainao. “We know that illegal software is a portal to hacking, bank fraud, data theft and a general lack of cyber security. And we believe international organized crime syndicates may be connected to the distribution of illegal software as way to steal data. For Thailand to have a secure IT infrastructure, we must reduce and prevent use of illegal and unlicensed software.”
Under Thailand’s Copyright Act B.E. 2537, infringement of a copyrighted computer program carries punishment of imprisonment and/or a fine.
Those who report the use of pirated and unlicensed software by calling the Software Piracy Hotline at02-714-1010 or by reporting it online are eligible to receive an award of up to 250,000 Thai Baht. The identity of the caller is protected. More information is available online at www.stop.in.th.