Kuwait Ministry of Information steps up campaign against software piracy

The Kuwait Ministry of Information recently conducted raids on two computer companies in Kuwait City, resulting in the confiscation of three computers loaded with illegal software.

Tarek Al Ajmi, Assistant Under Secretary for Press and Journalism Affairs, Ministry of Information, Kuwait, said, "We have adopted a three-pronged strategy to tackle the threat of software piracy, which is yielding positive results. We provide support to anti-piracy initiatives and encourage government organizations to ensure that IPR laws are honoured. We have also enacted laws that classify software piracy as a crime and impose penalties on those found to be in breach of these laws. In addition, we have been organizing awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public on the benefits of using original software, such as technical support, vital updates and superior performance."

Scott Butler, CEO of Arabian Anti-Piracy Association (AAA), said:

"We commend the Kuwait Government for its continuous support to campaigns aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of using original software. Arabian Anti-Piracy Association has been working closely with various regional governments to ensure the protection of Intellectual Property Rights, and has been employing various techniques to tackle the threat of software piracy. These efforts have met with considerable success, especially in Kuwait where the use and trade of illegal software have come down markedly."

"AAA is coordinating with the Kuwait Ministry of Information as well as with software developers to intensify the anti-piracy campaign. We are also seeking to step up awareness campaigns highlighting how pirated software adversely affects PC performance," Butler added. "It is important that all concerned parties, from software developers to end-users, exert efforts to limit the spread of piracy."

According to the latest BSA report, reduction of piracy rate in Kuwait by 10 percentage points between 2006 and 2009 can double the size of the country's IT industry to USD 830 million, create 667 new job opportunities as well as realise additional USD 357 million to the Kuwait GDP.