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Microsoft holds anti-piracy workshop for journalists
Staff Correspondent
Karachi—Microsoft held an interactive workshop for journalists to
raise awareness on the role of media in the fight against software
piracy, copyright infringement and to highlight the value of genuine
software to consumers, businesses and the national economy. Microsoft
took this initiative keeping in mind the hazards and threats posed by
software piracy.
Country General Manager, Microsoft Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed while
informing the journalists about impact of piracy and highlighting the
role of media in fight against piracy said, “Software piracy is a big
hurdle in the way of progress of our society in general and IT sector
in specific. Currently, 84% (Global PC Software Piracy Study 2007) of
the software used in Pakistan is pirated and if this rate is cut down
to 66% in the next four years, around 12,000 new jobs will be created
in the IT sector. We count on the media to help increase awareness
about legitimate software which will lead to the creation of new and
better jobs in IT sector, promote investment and will encourage
software development in the country.”
Also present at the occasion was Ameena Saiyid who is the Chairperson
of Anti Counterfeit & Infringement Forum (ACIF) and Chairperson of IPR
Subcommittee, Overseas Investor’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry and
also the Managing Director of Oxford University Press. She expressed
appreciation over Microsoft Pakistan’s efforts in creating awareness
and said, “I am extremely pleased that Microsoft Pakistan has
undertaken this initiative to unveil threats posed by piracy in
general and software piracy in particular, by educating the masses
about its harmful effects through media. Piracy, counterfeit and IP
infringement are major hurdles for the entire business community which
is working to highlight them to government through various platforms
including ACIF & OICCI.”
While making a presentation on economic impacts of software piracy
Salman Siddiqui, Genuine Software Manager, Microsoft Pakistan said,
“Software piracy is a problem world over as it causes losses of over
US$40 billion annually. In Pakistan, the productive sector is bearing
the brunt of massive use of pirated and untaxed software. |
