Listening to these people. piracy seem to be the root cause of almost all social evils in Pakistan. I've heard everything from drug running to moonshine being financed by 'software pirates'. And BSA's trying their very best to paint a picture of blackbeardian fiends instead of what they probably generally are, just poor computer retailers in rainbow-center doing some CD copying on the side.
India some time ago abolished recognition of some critical intellectual property rights of international companies. This included literature and medicines, over the years, it was this removal of crippling international patent laws that let everyday indians afford these essential items.
As the IT gap widens, the lats thing Pakistan can afford to do is to pander to the likes of microsoft who would have everybody pay $100 for a copy of MS office..
Eventually I think what has to come foremost is whats best for us, and given our economic situation, clamping down on production of 'pirated' CDs for deomestic use is tantamount to shooting our selves in the foot.
If th egovernment does indeed go aheah and have another one of those 'chaapa' binges-then some of the dire warnings of BSA may indeed come true. The fledgling pakistani software industry may indeed be pushed over the brink, and 'piracy' will without a doubt really come the domain of the true pirates-the ones who can afford to affront the might of microsoft and there Pakistani minions.
Companies given 30 days to legalise computer software
KARACHI: The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has announced a 30-day truce in its fight against pirated software users in Pakistan from December 1, during which companies and organisations across the country can install licensed software without the risk of police raids, legal action or penalties.
“The BSA will take strict legal action against the businesses and organisations using unauthorised software after the truce ends on December 30,” said Al Redha, the BSA’s Middle East co-chairman, on Monday. “Companies that take necessary steps to become fully licensed will be exempt from penalties for software violations prior to December 30,” the BSA official said in a statement.
The BSA consists of the world’s leading computer companies which are fighting software piracy in more than 65 countries. These include Adobe, Apple, AutoDesk, Compaq, IBM, Intel, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec.
Al Redha said the BSA would encourage businesses to benefit from its concession, besides raising awareness about software copyright and its application. He said his organisation was working in association with the Pakistani government, police and customs to check software piracy.
He said the BSA understands that the illegal software in use in the corporate sector was the result of poor system management rather than deliberate theft. Urging all the companies to legalise their software, Al Redha said the businesses should contribute to the development of the software industry and should respect copyright laws because pirated software left the user vulnerable to fines. He said a special Truce Helpline (0800-01234) had been set up in Karachi.
“The BSA can also provide an expert to audit the installed software, report on the licences needed and send a cost estimate to start the process,” he said. A recent BSA study said that Pakistan had a piracy rate of 83 percent during 2003 for the business software which cost the country’s information technology industry by about $16 million, Al Redha said..