In keeping with its strategy of implementing intellectual property laws, the Qatari authorities have recently announced their plans to intensify the campaign against companies and individuals using illegal software in Qatar.
Aimed at restricting the growing pirated software industry, this initiative also endeavors to strengthen the national economy of the country. Qatar Police in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Trade have recently raided a company and seized 35 PCs loaded with pirated software including MS Windows, Office, Symantec, Adobe and AutoDesk.
This tough action follows the passing of a special law for the protection of intellectual property and authors' rights in Qatar. The law, which is being strictly implemented, aims at protecting the software manufacturers and acts as an incentive to attract other developers into the country.
The Qatari move is in line with the efforts made by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to protect their national economies by establishing the legal concepts of intellectual property and by combating piracy in general and software piracy in particular.
Governments in the region have realized that combating piracy is necessary as it helps ensure smooth development and growth of the software industry. These steps will gain the confidence of BSA's regional and international members and encourage them to offer the most advanced products to consumers in the region.
BSA has called upon companies and individuals who are mislead and sold PCs loaded with pirated software to call on the specially created hotlines in order to protect their rights and avoid any damage to their PCs and businesses. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
