Thursday, August 25, 2005
IT firms put up P1-M bounty on pirated software users
An association of software manufacturers is putting up a P1-million cash reward for information on companies that use pirated computer software.
The Business Software Association (BSA), together with the government and other private groups, launched the incentive program to put a stop to software piracy, which hurts the local and global information and communications technology sector.
BSA is a non-profit international association of the world’s leading software manufacturers like Microsoft, Symantec and Adobe.
With the National Bureau of Investigation, Optical Media Board and the PNP, the Pilipinas Anti-piracy Team warned that starting Sept.16, a series of raids will be conducted nationwide on companies that continue to use, sell or distribute unlicensed software.
Those found guilty of violating the Intellectual Property Code (RA 8293) or the Optical Media Act (RA 9239) may face imprisonment of up to nine years.
“It’s a good effort and I think it’s about time that we get serious about it,” said Wilson Tan, president of the Association of Computer Businesses of the Philippines-Cebu chapter yesterday.
However, Tan said that this anti-piracy thrust should be extended to other products covered by Intellectual Property Rights like DVDs, VCDs, and designs, among many others.
“Companies should be willing to make a budget for the software that they would use in their offices. It would cost a bit but that’s the legal way,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
Tan, who is also the proprietor of Thinking Tools Inc. added, though, that it’s still the end-users who will decide if they buy licensed software or not.
“Those who want to continue violating should be ready for the consequences,” he said.
Open source software is also an option. “It would require some skills, though, but it can be a good option if they don’t want to invest in Microsoft software,” he added.
According to a BSA-IDC global software piracy study, 71 percent of PC (personal computer) software being used in the Philippines last year was illegal.
Software piracy caused losses amounting to P3.7 billion last year, depriving the country of additional revenues and new job opportunities, the study said.
Internet Café Association of Cebu (ICAC) president Felix Cogal admitted that many Internet Café operators in Cebu still use pirated software.
“But we are in the process of negotiating with Microsoft. We are willing to cooperate and encourage our members to use licensed software,” he said in a separate interview yesterday. (ALC)
(August 25, 2005 issue)
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