Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, has strengthened its cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Information to protect Intellectual Property Rights. This was announced on the occasion of the World International Property Rights Day, which is being observed today (Tuesday, April 26, 2005).
BSA has commended the efforts of the UAE Ministry of Information in protecting intellectual property rights. The various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry have led to a significant reduction in the use and sale of illegal software in the country.
Jawad Al-Redha, Co-Chairman, Middle East, Business Software Alliance said, "The Ministry of Information has played a vital role in curbing software piracy in the region. BSA and the software industry in UAE at large have received constant support from the Ministry, towards our efforts in tackling software piracy. Today as we commemorate World IPR Day, we look forward to working in close partnership with the Ministry of Information to evolve new measures to increase awareness about IPR in the Middle East."
Juma Al Leem, Director, Ministry of Information, Dubai, remarked, "As UAE gradually transforms itself into a digital economy, there is an increased need to eliminate the use of pirated software products. With the spread of IT in governmental and non-governmental organisations, it has become necessary to increase the cooperation between the ministry and the various bodies to stop piracy and make way for original software, as the ministry wants to set a good example for the general public by using authentic software products and send a strong message that the Ministry of Information totally opposes the use of pirated software. We look forward to working closely with organisations like BSA who have shown their utmost commitment in protecting intellectual property rights."
BSA's awareness activities in the Middle East have helped achieve a dramatic downturn in software piracy rates in the region. The UAE has one of the lowest rates of piracy, due to the importance accorded to IPR in the country.
BSA members gathered for the World IPR Day also discussed in depth the possibilities of launching more public awareness campaigns to educate the end-users about illegal software and its effect in the development of national economies in the region. The members also called on the end-user to consider the ethical aspects of using illegal software and urged them not to use it.
"The sustained campaign taken up by the Ministry of Information against violators of software laws has gone a long way in creating a robust economy that allows software manufacturers to bring the most innovative solutions into the UAE. The issue of software piracy is no longer the concern of only the software companies and the governments, all users of software have to make a conscious effort not to use any kind of pirated software to protect their interests and that of the software industry. We are certain that with the constant support of the Ministry of Information we will be able to contribute further towards this cause," concluded Al-Redha.
BSA is committed to raise legal and commercial awareness about the issue of intellectual rights by launching education presentations that aims to explain the multitude of benefits of the legal use of computer software. This initiative will urge people to use original programs in all the applications that they use.
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About Business Software Alliance
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.
BSA Anti-Piracy Hotlines
Kuwait Hotline: 2438033
UAE Hotline: 800 4828
Other countries: (9714) 332 2307
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© Press Release 2005
