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Dubai: Microsoft Gulf, in collaboration with the Qatar Ministry of Economy, has announced that it has recently conducted a successful raid in Qatar against a reseller offering unlicensed Microsoft Windows XP software.
In its capacity as a member of the Business Software Alliance (BSA), global organisation that is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace, Microsoft provided the essential information that helped Qatari authorities raid the illegal trader and confiscate 150 assorted pirated CDs.
Microsoft has been coordinating with various Middle Eastern governments to intensify domestic and regional anti-piracy efforts, resulting in numerous raids by authorities and the public destruction of thousands of pirated media. The BSA has also been conducting awareness campaigns with full government support to educate the public and private sectors on the negative socio-economic impact of crimes against intellectual property rights (IPR).
"As a leader in IT infrastructure development throughout the Middle East, Qatar will not tolerate criminal acts against intellectual property rights, particularly software piracy. We will continue to identify and prosecute violators of our IPR laws; we shall also strengthen our partnerships with private organizations such as the BSA who share our commitment to eliminating this illegal trade domestically and regionally. The Qatar Ministry of Economy will continue its vigilance in safeguarding our country's rapidly-developing IT sector," said Abdullah Ahmed Qayed, Head of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Office Commercial Affairs Department, Qatar Ministry of Economy.
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