Software anti-piracy agency doubles reward

BANGKOK (The Nation): The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is preparing to double its rewards for people who report illegal software use at the corporate level, from 250,000 baht to 500,000 baht.

From today to September 30, 2008, concerned software users who call the BSA hotline to provide information that leads to successful action against business organizations using pirated or unlicensed software will be eligible for the new cash reward.

The hotline number, in Bangkok, is 02-711-6193. Caller identities are protected, the agency says.

“Anyone who calls the hotline to report unlicensed software use is eligible – but the bigger the company accused of illegal use, the better,” said Tarun Sawney, the BSA’s Director – Anti Piracy, Asia.

“It’s not important who calls the hotline.

“The key is to have good information. It could be an employee, a vendor, even someone completely outside the company.

“Whoever has accurate information about unlicensed software use will be rewarded.”

The announcement is part of the BSA’s strategy to combat software piracy in Thailand.

Under current copyright laws in Thailand, companies and senior managers face fines of up to 800,000 baht and/or jail terms of up to 4 years; notwithstanding civil damages.

Guidelines regarding software laws and compliance are available for business executives here. Thailand’s software piracy rate is currently 78 per cent, and the subject of much discussion as the country’s piracy rate ranks among the highest in the region.

The BSA applauds efforts of the police and the Department of Intellectual Property.

This year police have raided dozens of companies and the Department of Intellectual Property has conducted extensive outreach under a national software anti-piracy campaign. However, more consistency would be helpful in strengthening intellectual property protection, says the BSA.

“We were pleased to see the recent clampdown on software piracy,” said Sawney.

“However, we hope to see the Thai authorities’ dedication to protecting intellectual property rights [continue] with the same fervor all year round,” he said.