Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry, has welcomed the latest initiative undertaken by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Economy and Commerce, inviting the industry to launch an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) forum in the UAE.
This suggested forum will include experts and industry professionals who will raise awareness on issues related to IPR, combat violations, launch symposiums, newsletters as well as cooperate with public institutions and international associations.
"This invitation stems from our deep realization about the harm that is being caused to the economic sector and end users due to the illegal use of software," said Sheikh Saud Bin Hamad Al-Qassimi, assistant under secretary for Trade Affairs, in the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, UAE.
"We renew our invitation to the industry to establish this forum and are pleased with the favorable response that we have received from international associations such as the BSA. The Ministry believes that the degree of success achieved by a country in its economic progress depends on the efficient implementation of IPR and the use of original software by the industry," Sheikh Al-Qassimi added.
UAE is a leader in the Arab World in the field of IPR protection. It has succeeded in exceeding the standards set by European nations such as France, Greece and Italy who have the reputation of being far more technologically advanced. Although IPR laws have been in existence in these countries for many years, UAE has achieved much better results due to stringent implementation of these laws within the country.
The UAE laws prohibit using illegal software in Information Technology (IT) applications and require companies to provide adequate proofs on the usage of original software. According to the findings of the eighth annual BSA Global Software Piracy Study for the year 2002 released recently, UAE's leading anti-piracy role in the region for the seventh consecutive year has resulted in the decrease in piracy rates from 86 percent in 1994 to 36 percent in 2002. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
