UAE Ministry of Information & Culture raids a training centre using illegal pirated software in Dubai

The authorities also seized 13 copies of Microsoft MOC.

"UAE is one of the leading Arab countries that has taken determined steps to protect intellectual property rights. The UAE Ministry of Information and Culture cooperates with the Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance in this issue of IPR protection which ensures the right economic environment and supports the national economy besides attracting foreign investment," said Scott Butler, CEO of the Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAA).

Butler emphasised the importance of boosting the legal and commercial awareness in all end-user sectors and economic segments. He also underlined the importance of using original software in increasing the benefits of technological investments. Original software can be upgraded in the future in contrast to illegal software.

"Copying software has become easy so we have to be vigilant and monitor the market to seize violators. We cannot achieve this aim without the joint efforts between the affected parties and government departments. The UAE Ministry of Information and Culture is taking great efforts in its support for IPR issues in keeping with its commitment to launch awareness campaigns in all IT sectors to ensure the implementation of IPR laws. Besides it gives a lot of importance to software piracy through raids conducted on those companies that trade in illegal software and users who violate the IPR laws by using these software programmes," Butler added.

UAE is one of the most active countries that is firmly cracking down on software piracy by tracking resellers responsible for peddling illegal software products as well as end users who are infringing the copyright laws in the country. The UAE laws prohibit using illegal software in IT applications and forces companies to provide adequate proofs that on the usage of original software.

"The UAE government's seriousness in dealing with the issues of IPR protection aids our strategy that aims to protect the interests of software companies. The recent raids by the authorities are an effective tool to stop this dangerous activity which can cause great harm to the IT sector," Butler added.