Element K Middle East selects Business Software Alliance to assist in the copyright protection of its learning material in the region

Element K is drawing on BSA's experience to ensure that the intellectual property laws are applied to Element K's books and courseware material. It also aims to generate awareness that copyright issues are common to the software, music and publishing industries.

Element K is one of the leading training material providers that offers its contents in book format as well as online. Training institutions and individuals using the books and courseware are required to pay for each individual copy, as per the international copyright laws.

Element K Middle East recently partnered with Dubai e-Government to develop and introduce the e-Employee training program, which targets government employees at all levels to enhance their computer competence. Under the partnership, Dubai e-Government and Element K will also be introducing the e-Citizen training program early next year, which aims to enhance the computer and Internet skills of citizens so that they can benefit from over 600 e-Government services offered online, as well as utilizing other eServices including e-Banking and e-Shopping. Element K has also launched a joint e-learning project called www.learnonline.ae, in association with Etisalat's Emirates Internet and Multimedia in the UAE.

Jamil Ezzo, General Manager of Element K Middle East, said: "As the leading global e-learning provider with many activities in the region, it is essential that Element K protects its books and courseware from piracy. Globally, piracy is a key area of concern for all providers of education and entertainment, whether working in software development, the recording industry, publishing or developing training programs. The role played by Business Software Alliance in effectively and aggressively combating software piracy across the Middle East, and the tangible results it has achieved have prompted us to seek its expertise in carrying out similar campaigns for combating piracy in training material and courseware developed by Element K."

"In the education sector there is a growing concern about piracy of books and other material used for training. As the only training material provider that offers its content in book format as well as online, Element K has realised the importance of tackling piracy through various measures, including seeking the support of governments. We feel the regional expertise gained by BSA in fighting software piracy by involving the local authorities will be crucial in helping fight piracy in books and course material," Ezzo said.

Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman, BSA Middle East, said: "Piracy of all types can be successfully tackled through concerted efforts and lobbying at official levels. Following our success in the software area, we have already been approached by the music recording industry for possible collaboration in applying the copyright laws for controlling music piracy in the region. We can understand the concern of Element K over piracy of its books and training material and would like to offer advice on how to implement anti-piracy strategies."

"BSA looks at piracy as a cross-industry problem. As the watchdog of the copyrights of software developers, BSA is aware of the problems associated with policing piracy and strategies needed to implement the copyright law. We believe that with aggressive lobbying with government authorities and awareness campaigns, piracy can be reduced. We are pleased that companies like Element K are committed to taking concrete steps in fighting piracy and we hope to see a positive outcome from such partnerships," added Al Redha.

Several Middle East governments have passed legislation to ensure that intellectual property rights are protected in all sectors. The implementation of these laws has led to stringent action against violators and frequent raids against offenders. Recently in Egypt, over 2 million music CDs were seized by government enforcement agencies. By teaming up with BSA, Element K wants to convey the message that those who indulge in the piracy of its books and course material are violating copyright laws and could face legal and criminal action.