Bangkok--Sep 19--PC & Associates Consulting
Business Software Alliance (BSA), the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, today announced the increase in their reward for information leading to the successful action against organizations using pirated or unlicensed software in the course of their business. From September 15 till October 31, 2005, the reward is doubled from the previous 250,000 Baht to 500,000 Baht. The announcement is part of BSA’s strategy to combat piracy and educate businesses on the use of legal software in Thailand.
So far in 2005, 6 raids have been conducted on companies in Thailand for the use of pirated or unlicensed software, resulting in illegal software seizures to the amount of 11,020,483 Baht. These raids were as a result of information received on the BSA Anti-Piracy hotline or through the BSA website.
Under current copyright laws in Thailand, companies and senior manager face fines of up to 800,000 Baht and/or jail terms of up to 4 years, notwithstanding civil damages as well.
According to Tarun Sawney, BSA’s Director - Anti Piracy, Asia, “Software piracy in Thailand remains at 79% in 2004, after decreasing by only 1% over the previous year. This amounted to a staggering revenue loss of over THB 7.5 billion to the software industry in Thailand. It certainly goes to show that there are still many recalcitrant companies who are simply ignoring the government’s call to use only legal and licensed software for business.”
“As a show of support for the government’s anti-piracy efforts, and to reflect the gravity with which BSA views the illegal use of software, the BSA will increase the reward for information on companies using pirated or unlicensed software from the usual 250,000 Baht, to up to 500,000 Baht till the end of October this year. We hope that this move will encourage more people to come forward and serve a stern warning to those decision makers in companies who have continued to use software illegally to legalize,” Sawney added.
In May 2005, BSA expanded educational efforts by partnering with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Market for Alternative Investment (mai) in an outreach campaign called “Get SAM Get Compliant”, aimed at encouraging businesses to use licensed software in their businesses, and to take serious considerations of the need to respect copyright laws when it comes to software usage.
“Corporate users must realize the risks of using unlicensed software, which includes possible damage to a business’s reputation and credibility, and loss of investor confidence due to poor corporate governance. Piracy hurts the Thai economy, is a serious threat to legitimate jobs in the IT sector, and it does not contribute in any tax revenues to the Thai Government. Software piracy simply must end for the sake of a good future,” added Sawney.
To report on software piracy in the workplace for a reward of up to 500,000 Baht, call the BSA Anti-Piracy Hotline at 1800 291 005 or 0 2711 6193 or visit www.bsa.org to report online. Identity of all callers will remain strictly confidential.
About BSA
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. Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. BSA worldwide members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Internet Security Systems, Macromedia, McAfee, Microsoft, PTC, SolidWorks, Sybase, Symantec, The MathWorks and UGS. BSA regional members in Asia include Minitab and Trend Micro.
In Thailand, BSA works closely with the Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI), Association of Thai Computer Industry (ATCI) and Prevention and Suppression of Intellectual Property Infringement Committee in the promotion of intellectual property rights.
For more information please contact:
Pranee Chalermtanasak
PC & Associates Consulting Co., Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0 2971 3711 End.