Bangkok--24 Feb--Vero
A New Chapter in Thailand’s National Software IP Campaign
Special software offerings from top vendors for Thai SMEs
Police said companies with insufficient software licenses to be investigated
Government agencies, IT business leaders and industry organizations gathered today in support of a campaign to reduce theft of software intellectual property (IP).
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) today formally announced active policy to combat software piracy, this follows a 2008 campaign designed to educate the business community about software intellectual property and enforce software copyrights nationwide.
Entering its second year, the National Software Intellectual Property campaign is an effort by the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to foster greater adherence to intellectual property rights regarding software usage in Thailand. The campaign aims to educate businesses and the public about the value of software intellectual property through mass advertising, direct mailing, and series of Software Asset Management (SAM) seminars in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayuttaya, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Prachin Buri between March-May 2009. In addition, the DIP coordinated special discount promotions from leading local and international software vendors including Adobe, Autodesk, Microsoft, Symantec, Trend Micro, and Thai Software Enterprise for Thai SMEs during SMA seminars. Details will be highlighted on the campaign website, www.stop.in.th.
“This campaign aims to educate and raise public awareness for the value of intellectual property rights,” said DIP Director General Puangrat Asavapisit.
“A business environment that respects intellectual property rights creates good jobs and stimulates the economy. Reducing software piracy is good for Thailand’s IT industry, our country’s economic future, international reputation, and competitiveness.”
The latest study by IDC found that reducing software piracy rate by 10 percentage points over the next 4 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, added Director General Puangrat.
This campaign is endorsed by police enforcement authorities, including the Economic and Cyber- Crime Division (ECD). ECD Deputy Commander, Pol. Col. Sarayuth Pooltanya, said that this joint undertaking is part of the government’s efforts to stamp out piracy in the country. He noted that companies with insufficient licensing will be targeted. “This is an all-out campaign against theft of software IP,” he said. “Our enforcement team is dedicated to protecting IP rights of innovators in Thailand.”
From the private sector, the campaign is supported by Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA), the Association of Thai ICT Industry (ATCI), the Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI), the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and a group of leading software resellers.
Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, President of the Software Industry Promotion Association (SIPA) said that this campaign will benefit Thai entrepreneurs. “Protection of Intellectual Property will generate innovations that benefit our society and country. Innovators and entrepreneurs will be protected from others taking advantage of their ideas. The Thai economy will grow if we encourage Thai people to be aware of value of intellectual property and come up with a lot of intellectual property. I appreciate the effort of Department of Intellectual Property and the Economic and Cyber-Crime Division and strongly believe that the campaign will be a success.”
Somkiat Ungaree, President of the Association of Thai Software Industry said: “The National Software Intellectual Property campaign made a positive contribution to our industry in 2008. We congratulate the Thai government on their diligent efforts to reduce software piracy, and we look forward to more great work in 2009. The IT industry fully supports you in these efforts. ATSI will cooperate with special software offerings from member companies for Thai small and medium enterprises to make the legalization process easier.”
Efforts to reduce retail theft of software IP include greater levels of enforcement activity, direct communications with retailers suspected of selling stolen software IP and a marketing campaign to make resellers aware of the consequences of IP theft.
The BSA praised the government for continued effort in protecting software intellectual property. “We are proud to support this government-driven campaign against the use of pirated and unlicensed software. We applaud the agencies leading this initiative for recognizing the need to reduce, and consequently eliminate piracy,” said Ms. Siripat Patrangul, Spokesperson for the BSA Thailand Committee. “For Thailand’s future as a member of the global business community, we need to make progress on the software piracy issue. It’s in our best interest as a nation.”
For more information about National Software Intellectual Property Expansion campaign, please visit the campaign website www.stop.in.th.
The press statement is being issued on behalf of the campaign sponsors.
For more information please contact:
Artima Tantikul Chalida Sirisutthidecha
Vero Public Relations Vero Public Relations
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