-------- Forwarded Message -------- From: Frederick "FN" Noronha fredericknoronha@gmail.com Reply-To: bytesforall_readers@yahoogroups.com To: bytesforall_readers@yahoogroups.com Subject: [bytesforall_readers] Software body working on anti-piracy task force Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:02:59 +0530

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/21/stories/2008072150640200.htm

Software body working on anti-piracy task force

V. Rishi Kumar

Hyderabad, July 20

Business Software Alliance is working towards creating an anti-piracy task force in coordination with industry bodies such as FICCI (Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Nasscom (National Association for Software and Services Companies) and the Government and favours some amendments to the Copyright Act to make it more stringent.

The alliance promoted by some leading technology firms, including software companies Adobe, Microsoft, is in talks with both the Central and State Governments to spread awareness against piracy, according to Ms Lizum Mishra, Director of Business Software Alliance (India).

Speaking to Business Line, Ms Mishra said that piracy numbers have shown that there is some improvement but a lot needs to be done to ensure that it is brought down significantly.

"Apart from bringing down piracy level, particularly in the case of enterprises, we are also in parleys with Government departments, officials in the Ministry of Commerce and Information Technology and Communication to impress the need to bring about amendments to Copyright Act and make violations stringent," she said.

Towards curbing piracy, dedicated Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Anti Piracy Cells have been created at FICCI with a focus on protecting intellectual property and educating people on use of legally obtained software, Ms Mishra said. FIVE-POINT BLUEPRINT

As a part of its efforts to bring down piracy levels, the alliance has come up with a five-point blueprint. This covers increasing public awareness of value of intellectual property and risks of use of unlicensed software and the need to update national copyright laws for more effective enforcement against digital and online piracy.

The focus is on creation of enforcement mechanisms as required by the World Trade Organisation, dedicate significant Government resources (including IP enforcement units) and lead by example — using only legal copies in public sector undertakings.