Bangkok--6 Nov--Vero Public Relations
- Value of software copyright violations more than 2 million Baht
- Software anti-piracy crackdown continues
Two computer component makers were among a group of companies that were recently raided as part of a software anti-piracy crackdown campaign being conducted by Thai police enforcement authorities. The computer component makers stand accused by the Economic and Technical Crimes Suppression Division (ECOTEC) of copyright violations of software products valued at more than 2 million Baht. The alleged unlicensed software was used for office work and design.
In addition, five other companies face charges for software copyright violations. Police alleged that these companies had used suspected pirated software on nearly 140 PCs with a total value of 6 million Baht. If found guilty, the executives of these companies will face fines of 100,000 to 800,000 Baht, or a jail term of 6 months to four years, or both.
“The Violation of Intellectual Property law undermines the country’s IT sector and economy,” said Police Colonel Sarayut Pultunya, ECOTEC Deputy Commander.
Tarun Sawney, Director of Anti Piracy in Asia for the Business Software Alliance (BSA) said, “Of all companies, computer component makers should appreciate and respect software intellectual property rights. It is most disappointing that these companies, whose very business depends on the innovations of information technology developers, would fail to use licensed software.”
For consumers concerned about software piracy, the Siripat Patrangul, BSA’s Thailand Spokesperson has this advice: “The first step is to ask for proof of authenticity from the vendor. Second, is to trust your instincts based on market price. Irrespective of whether the software is being sold as new or used, if the price is too good to be true, then it probably is.”
According to a recent study conducted by IDC, an independent advisory service provider, reducing PC software piracy in Thailand by just ten percentage points over the next four years would generate 2,100 new jobs, over US$1 billion (THB3.5 billion) in economic growth, and over US$55 million (THB2.275 billion) in tax revenues for the country.
Individuals who wish to report software piracy cases may get in touch with the BSA through its anti-piracy hotline at 02-711-6193. The BSA provides a reward of up to 250,000 Thai Baht for any information that results in a successful enforcement action. The identity of callers are kept strictly private and confidential.
For more information please contact:
Artima Tantikul Sujittra Yingpoemmongkol
Vero Public Relations Vero Public Relations
Tel: +66 (0) 2684 1551 Tel: +66 (0) 2684 1551
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