Corporate end-user software piracy, where companies either use unlicensed software or install more copies than licensed for, is the "main culprit" to be protected against in the area of Intellectual Property Rights, according to Shalini Ratwatte, a Consultant for the Sri Lanka Committee of international software and hardware lobbyists, Business Software Alliance (BSA).
For example, according to a BSA statement, one "large multinational company" which was raided by police because it was "suspected of using pirated and unlicensed software" was found to have 70 computers installed with suspected pirated software valued at Rs. 7,000,000, which led to the seizure of 20 of these computers to aid in a possible investigation.
Meanwhile, BSA plans for 2010 will include creating awareness of the issue as well as building the capacity of stakeholders to enable better enforcement of intellectual property rights, particularly in the public sector.
In addition, while there will be ongoing enforcement and other action against the corporate sector, the organisation is quick to point out that it does not, "as a worldwide policy", act against the public.
Further noted, again according to BSA’s statement, Sri Lanka recently passed the Computer Crimes Act which allows for new offences and stiffer penalties to be brought to bear on those caught “violating Intellectual Property in Software”.
Additionally, this act was also made weightier due to a new Companies Act of 2007 shifting responsibility to company directors for their organisation’s adherence to the laws of the country. |
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