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V. Rishi Kumar

Software piracy worldwide, estimated at about 40 per cent by 2001, translates into losses of $10.97 billion.

HYDERABAD, April 11

BUSINESS Software Alliance (BSA), an interface between the world's leading software developers in the international marketplace, their governments and consumers, has begun to crack its whip against software piracy in India which is estimated at about 70 per cent. It has managed to get three directors of two software firms convicted under the Copyright Act.

The Vice-President, Business Software Alliance, Ms Venessa Hutley, said that a Hyderabad court recently sentenced two directors of Big Apple Computers and one of Anuj Computers to six months imprisonment each and fined Rs 50,000 for unauthorised copying and sale of pirated software.

Both the dealers, based in Hyderabad, have been found guilty under Section 63 of the Copyright Act and Section 78 and 79 of the Trademarks Act. This outcome, Ms Hutley told Business Line had emerged as a part of the on-going BSA and National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) anti-piracy campaigns.

Based on the evidence gathered from investigations by a four-member team of BSA and Nasscom companies including Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk and Tata Consultancy Services, a complaint was lodged at the Central Crime Station, Hyderabad.

The seized items, including hard disks, were referred to the Laboratory of Computer Systems, Forensic Science Laboratories, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The forensic report confirmed the piracy.

Ms Hutley said that India had become one of the largest software services market and protection of intellectual property was extremely important to safeguard the interests of companies.

As a part of this drive, BSA plans to work towards creating awareness and assisting the Government in creating the need for an enforceable IPR regime.

While generating support and understanding for BSA/Nasscom's activities in India, the effort is on to establish credentials of BSA in India as a responsible organisation working towards creating a progressive IT environment in India.

Ms Hutley said that BSA had formulated an anti-piracy campaign in India based on creating awareness, working towards a policy framework and its enforcement.

Software piracy worldwide, estimated at about 40 per cent by 2001, translates into losses of $10.97 billion.

Drawing a parallel, Ms Hutley said piracy in India shot up to 70 per cent in the year 2001 from 63 per cent in 2000.

"We will step up our efforts to educate the public about the dangers of hard disk loading and counterfeiting in order to make it easier for honest dealers to operate. Such judgments send a message to those in the channel that selling pirated software is illegal and may, at best, lead to a very short-term business growth."

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