Sri Lanka police seize pirated software
Dec 06, 2010 (LBO) - Sri Lankan police found pirated software worth 7.5 million rupees in raids on an 'international group of companies' as part of a crackdown on software piracy, a statement said.
The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a software group, said the raided firm, which it did not identify, had been suspected of infringing the intellectual property rights of the BSA members. "Amongst the pirated and unlicensed software found included those from Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft," it said.
"The use of pirated and unlicensed software in businesses is a criminal offense under the Intellectual Property Law No.36 of 2003."
The raids were done by the Anti-Piracy & Counterfeit Unit recently established at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lanka Police.
Police seized over 30 computers, installed with suspected pirated business software which are to be produced in court.
“The police will be committed to protecting intellectual property rights, and will not hesitate to pursue criminal sanctions against senior management of companies found to be taking advantage and flouting the law in this regard,” said Wijaya Amarasinghe, Director CID.
"We are focussing on taking action against companies using pirated and unlicensed software in their business as they are not only infringing upon the rights of copyright owners, but may be indirectly rewarding illegal vendors or even organised crime networks.
"Companies trying to cut costs may be tempted to use pirated software and disregard the law, but piracy is theft and is actionable by law."
The software industry and other creative sectors need protection against piracy and police are responsible for creating a safe environment where legitimate businesses, innovation and original ideas can flourish, he said.
Shalini Ratwatte, consultant, Business Software Alliance, said intellectual property protection "is vital for building investor confidence and supporting the growth of legitimate local business."
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1554821637
Dec 06, 2010 (LBO) - Sri Lankan police found pirated software worth 7.5 million rupees in raids on an 'international group of companies' as part of a crackdown on software piracy, a statement said.
The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a software group, said the raided firm, which it did not identify, had been suspected of infringing the intellectual property rights of the BSA members. "Amongst the pirated and unlicensed software found included those from Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft," it said.
"The use of pirated and unlicensed software in businesses is a criminal offense under the Intellectual Property Law No.36 of 2003."
The raids were done by the Anti-Piracy & Counterfeit Unit recently established at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lanka Police.
Police seized over 30 computers, installed with suspected pirated business software which are to be produced in court.
“The police will be committed to protecting intellectual property rights, and will not hesitate to pursue criminal sanctions against senior management of companies found to be taking advantage and flouting the law in this regard,” said Wijaya Amarasinghe, Director CID.
"We are focussing on taking action against companies using pirated and unlicensed software in their business as they are not only infringing upon the rights of copyright owners, but may be indirectly rewarding illegal vendors or even organised crime networks.
"Companies trying to cut costs may be tempted to use pirated software and disregard the law, but piracy is theft and is actionable by law."
The software industry and other creative sectors need protection against piracy and police are responsible for creating a safe environment where legitimate businesses, innovation and original ideas can flourish, he said.
Shalini Ratwatte, consultant, Business Software Alliance, said intellectual property protection "is vital for building investor confidence and supporting the growth of legitimate local business."
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1554821637
