Business Software Alliance & Qatar’s Ministry of Justice to hold intellectual property rights roundtable with media

Software Alliance (BSA), the world’s foremost advocate for the software industry, has announced that it will be holding a media roundtable on intellectual property rights (IPR) in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Justice. The session will take place on February 6, 2012.

The roundtable aims to spread awareness on IPR, particularly the legal consequences of using and selling unlicensed software and other counterfeit products and the negative impact of IPR crimes on society such as the loss of employment. The BSA will also take the opportunity to highlight its major achievements in its campaign against piracy in 2011 and unveil some of its plans for this year. There will be discussions to garner more support for antipiracy initiatives being championed by the BSA and the Ministry.

“In 2012, the BSA and the Ministry of Justice continue to generate greater awareness of intellectual property rights and the dangers of the various crimes against it. The roundtable will serve as a platform for us to explain the legal consequences of IPR crimes and how media can help us intensify efforts against such activities. As always, we commend the BSA for spearheading efforts to encourage public support for antipiracy initiatives,” said Abdulla Ahmad Qayed, Director of the Intellectual Property Centre of Qatar’s Ministry of Justice.

“Our various antipiracy campaigns were highly successful last year thanks to the active participation and support of the region’s governments and their key agencies. Qatar in particular has made great strides in pursuing a piracy-free society, and the Ministry of Justice has made significant contributions in this regard. We appreciate its full support for the upcoming roundtable as well other initiatives in future,” added Jawad Al Redha, Chair, BSA Gulf.