Government-led IT initiatives like e4all and computer literacy programs will encourage use of copyrighted software


December 22, 2003

Business Software Alliance, the non-profit organisation that represents the interests of global software developers, stated that the efforts of Dubai eGovernment to deliver public services through electronic channels and the launch of programs to boost computer literacy are major contributors to reducing software piracy in the UAE.

“Dubai eGovernment’s innovative delivery channels, complemented by some great initiatives designed to encourage people to acquire IT skills through cost-effective learning programs, are helping boost IT penetration in the UAE,” said Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman of BSA Middle East. “This contributes to creating a healthy IT industry where global and local software developers can operate in a safe and secure environment, and thus provide leading edge solutions for the benefit of the corporate sector and society as a whole.”

Al Redha said the availability of more than 600 online services through the Dubai eGovernment portal would encourage the community to adopt online practices to carry out public transactions, indirectly increasing the computer knowledge of those whose competency level in computing is low.

“Dubai eGovernment has displayed great dynamism in devising programs aimed at accelerating IT penetration in the society. The e4all project, for instance, is a significant new initiative that seeks to boost Internet and PC usage through value packages in computer learning, put together in collaboration with experts. Additionally, the launch of the new international IT certification programmes developed by the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation (ICDLF) is another new development that will help increase IT penetration in the region,” Al Redha added.

“Dubai eGovernment has become the torch-bearer of IT education in the region. This government-led initiative will definitely encourage people to use copyrighted software, strengthening our efforts to create a healthy environment for software developers from all over the world,” said Al Redha. “BSA would like to complement Dubai eGovernment on creating a model eGovernment infrastructure that is bound to go a long way in protecting the intellectual property rights of software developers.”

“Dubai e-Government was launched with a clear vision of establishing a knowledge society,” said Salem Al Shair, eServices Director, Dubai eGovernment. “This involved implementing leading edge IT solutions backed by the world’s best hardware and software suppliers. In such a scenario, there is certainly no place for pirated software. To derive optimum benefits from eServices, it is imperative that people use only original copyrighted software. We fully support the BSA’s campaign against software piracy and are pleased that our approach is helping it achieve its objective.”

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About Dubai eGovernment & BSA
Editor’s Note:
Business Software Alliance:
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is an international organization representing leading software and e-commerce developers in 65 countries around the world. Established in 1988, BSA has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. As the voice of the software industry, 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’s efforts include educating computer users about software copyrights; advocating public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fighting software piracy.

BSA Worldwide Members:
Adobe Systems, Apple Computer, Filemaker, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam., Macromedia, Microsoft, Symantec, UGS, BSA Policy Council, Compaq, Dell, Entrust, IBM, Intel, Intuit, Network Associates, Novell and Sybase.

About Dubai eGovernment
Dubai eGovernment is a pioneering initiative in the region to provide online services across the spectrum of corporate and community life in the emirate. It also has a vision to integrate individually automated government departments under the single umbrella of the eGovernment initiative, thus empowering employees across lines of businesses and levels of government, besides facilitating the lives of citizens and customers of the government. Dubai has taken a lead in the region in deploying eGovernment applications and is among the first few governments in the world to provide such integrated services to its citizens. The eGovernment portal (www.dubai.ae) is a single contact point masking the complexity of the bureaucratic procedures, and guiding access to all services in the easiest possible way. In addition, the eGovernment initiative seeks to improve and enhance procedures by maximizing the benefit from technology, so that users from all walks of life will be able to utilize the portal for their specific needs with considerable ease.

© Press Release 2003