Bahraini authorities conduct fresh anti-piracy raids on IT resellers

The raids that were conducted in cooperation with "Microsoft" and Business Software Alliance (BSA) resulted in the confiscation of two PCs containing illegally downloaded software, 1 hard disk and 89 CDs with pirated versions.

The latest raids are part of an intensified campaign launched by the authorities in Bahrain to enforce the copyright and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) laws in the country. The MOI's Publications & Press Department has been constantly striving to combat software piracy through continuous raids and vigilance in order to reduce the negative impact of piracy on companies and businesses operating in the Kingdom.

Hasan Aun, Acting Director of the Department of Press and Publication, Bahrain Ministry of Information, "Strict enforcement of IPR laws in Bahrain is of paramount importance from an economic perspective since a piracy-free environment is bound to attract investments from leading multinational software companies. The efforts of the Government of Bahrain to bring down piracy rates in the country have been commendable and we hope that individuals and companies extend their full cooperation to protect IPR laws."

Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman, BSA Middle East, said,

"The stepped-up efforts by authorities in Bahrain to curb piracy have definitely had a positive impact in the country, with several companies choosing to use only original software. Through regular awareness campaigns on the detrimental affects of using pirated software and the legal and commercial repercussions of buying and trading illegal software, retailers and end-users will make a genuine effort to safeguard copyright and IPR laws."

Bahrain's anti-piracy drive comes at a time when GCC governments are stepping up measures to protect their economies by educating people about intellectual property and the importance of combating piracy, especially in IT software. The recent raids show the emphasis placed by the government on the prevention of the use or trade of illegal software and to provide a secure IT environment for software developers and investors in the Kingdom.

An annual study prepared by the global market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) and issued by BSA, indicated that Bahrain has recorded a reduction in piracy rate, going down to 60 per cent in 2005 from 62 percent in 2004.