Kuwaiti authorities raid 4 companies dealing in pirated software as part of intensified campaign against piracy

The Ministry of Information recently carried out a raid on four companies and seized several PCs and CDs loaded with pirated software.

These raids were a part of joint efforts exerted by Kuwait in association with IT companies that produce software and Business Software Alliance, aimed at combating software piracy in Kuwait.

Scott Butler, CEO of Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAA), said: "The Kuwaiti IT industry continues to be affected by software piracy despite the efforts by the authorities to protect intellectual property rights in Kuwait. It is very important to put sustained pressure on the violators of software piracy for any concrete results to be delivered. The authorities are well aware of the impact software piracy has on the economy and investment climate within the country. If extremely tough measures are not adopted, the original software manufacturers may lose their faith in the market."

Butler stressed on the need for legal and commercial awareness about the use of original software, and said AAA was engaged in a concerted campaign involving the Government, businesses and the public to achieve this objective.

"We have been working very close with various governments in the Gulf to conduct raids on violators, based on reports from authorized distributors," said Butler. "This kind of coordination is very critical in Kuwait because software piracy penetration is quite high in Kuwait."

According to the results of the 8th global study done by Business Software Alliance, software piracy in Kuwait came down to 73 per cent in 2002 from 91 per cent in 1994.

"The task of combating piracy is the responsibility of all parties concerned, ranging from IT companies to end-users who must promptly report illegal practices to the authorities," said butler. "This will not only ensure that the rights of the software companies are protected but also keep end-users' PCs away from harm. These kinds of concerted efforts will boost IT initiatives and businesses in this promising region."

The study has urged Kuwait to adopt more stringent strategies and intensify its investigations against law breakers by implement the copyright and intellectual property laws more forcefully. According to the study, the implementation of the copyright laws was still weak in Kuwait, because violators were not being given stiffer penalties like jail terms, as means of deterring others from indulging in anti piracy practices, the study adds.

"Everybody must make additional efforts to fight software piracy which is standing as a stumbling block in the way of the advancement of IT in the region," Butler added.