Microsoft discusses intellectual property with partners, anti-piracy features highlighted

Other subjects discussed in the meeting included an introduction to new programs aimed at helping partners selling more products and generating more revenue.

Director General of the National Library, Maamoun Talhouni, emphasized the need to protect the burgeoning Intellectual Property industry in Jordan and creating a suitable ecosystem conducive to its growth including greater IP awareness and protection. He highlighted the fact that the percentage of the IP Industry's contribution to the GDP currently stood at a low 0.6 percent.

"It is imperative that these discussions yield results. The international community and its faith in investing in the region are at stake. I reiterate once again that eliminating piracy in the kingdom will only serve to develop our economy; bottom line is local and international developers will not invest in markets where they are unprotected," he said.

"Today Microsoft is presenting us with more tools aimed at minimizing and eventually eliminating piracy in the Kingdom; along with such incentive programs we must aid in the quest to take Jordan to the next level of technology," he added.

On his part, Microsoft Country Manager, Zeid Shubailat discussed the state of piracy in the region highlighting that Microsoft considers the ICT sector in Jordan as a promising and continuously growing sector.

Mr. Shubailat said "We realize that Jordan's potential is limitless, empowered by the directives of Majesty King Abdullah's directives of developing the sector into the regional hub for ICT."

He went on to introduce Microsoft tools to promote the use of genuine software. Among these tools is the Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program which is a tool that validates whether Windows is a genuine product. The WGA aims to help create awareness among users to the benefits of licensed software including free-antivirus, free- anti-spyware, discounts on future upgrades.

"Jordanian consumers need to know that using genuine Microsoft products protect them as well as us. The differentiating factors of genuine software are undeniable. By validating their software, users are able to ensure that they have access to all value added software from Microsoft. With the Windows Genuine Advantage we are not attempting to force users into purchasing genuine software; rather we see it as a medium for educating users on the value of genuine software.'

The System Builder Partner Summit, a first of its kind event in the region, empowers System Builders with technical, marketing and sales skills to develop future proof products especially with the forthcoming Vista operating system and the Office 12 application suite.

It serves as well as a platform to generate increased awareness among the local System Builders community regarding the Intellectual Property education discriminated by the department of the national library., the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and other IT associations.