On high alert

zoom

BSA & Microsoft

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has been the largest aggressor in the fight to eradicate software piracy, not just around the Middle East, but globally. The non-profit trade organisation lists the largest IT vendors among its members, including Microsoft, Symantec, Adobe, Autodesk and Cisco.

Jawad Al-Redha the vocal co-chairman of BSA in the Gulf region and IPR manager of Microsoft's Gulf operations, says that the channel has a huge role to play in battling piracy. "The channel fully recognises the urgent needs to tackle software piracy as piracy has major detrimental effects on the economy," said Al-Redha.

"Fighting piracy need not always have to involve financial resources; what is needed is a commitment to eliminate piracy by spreading awareness about the impact of piracy and violation of intellectual property rights."

Incentives to fight piracy, according to Al-Redha, are obvious. "One of the biggest threats is loss of revenue to all parties concerned," he said, adding that the battle for channel empathy is slowly being won.

It's encouraging to note that in recent months systems integrators are acting more responsibly and advising the end-user about the importance of original software. However, we believe the channel could play an even more active role to persuade customers from opting for pirated software."

What should a channel partner do if they suspect a peer is involved in illegal software trading?

A channel partner must immediately report such illegal activity to the concerned authorities. It is important for channel partners to realise that they are directly affected by such illicit trading practices through the loss of sale and potential customers. Moreover, helping authorities weed out such illegal traders will help send a clear message to society that software piracy is not tolerated at any level.

Do you think there is any danger of software piracy in this region increasing in the future, or is it falling?

Our concerted efforts have led to a significant improvement in the piracy situation of the society, and we intend to further enhance our drive through a wider network of partners and more innovative methods of combating piracy. As such, we are confident that our efforts will lead to a significant decrease in piracy rates.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM