Software Piracy In M'sia Worrisome, Says Software Analyst

By Hanuratha Thamilselvan KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Despite the authorities coming down hard on software piracy offenders, the increase in such piracy in Malaysia is worrisome, says a renowned software analyst. "What a lot of people don't realise is that when they buy a software, they are actually buying a licence to use it, not the actual software. "That licence is what tells you how many times they can install the software, so it's important to read it. If the buyer makes more copies of the software than the licence permits, they’re pirating," said Roland Chan, the Senior Director of Business Software Alliance, told Bernama. A global software piracy study by the International Data Corporation for BSA Malaysia showed personal computer piracy rate was at 56 per cent in 2010. Software piracy is the unauthorised copying or distribution of copyrighted software via copying, downloading, sharing, selling or installing multiple copies onto personal or work computers. Chan said the worth of pirated software in 2010 was estimated at US$606 million. "It's a bad sign that can harm the software industry. Malaysia needs to focus on addressing software piracy by taking measures to root out the problem. "It's high time stringent intellectual property laws are enacted and implemented to deter people from indulging in software piracy. He said current laws like the Copyright Act 1987 must be enforced without fear or favour. Under the Act, an organisation, its director and senior management personnel are liable to a fine between US$654 (RM2,000) and US$6,542 (RM20,000) and can be jailed up to five years for each pirated copy of a software programme. Last year, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry of Malaysia mounted 61 enforcement raids and seized 394 computers and peripherals, 1,416 copies of suspected pirated softwares, with a combined total estimated value of RM8.2 million, Chan said. Urging the people to stop pirating softwares, he said, the BSA was working closely with the ministry to educate the public on the many reasons why they should use only original softwares. As part of efforts to educate the public, the ministry launched the Genuine Corporate Award programme last year. Under the programme, the BSA recognises companies that managed their softwares well and used only original softwares. "From over 2,000 companies that applied to join the programme last year, 228 met all the criteria," he added. -- BERNAMA