Posted on 1/7/2004, 6:15:15 AM by freedom44
NEW DELHI : An estimated 70 per cent of software applications used in India are pirated.
Experts warn that this may severely hamper the country's aim to emerge as a global technology hub.
They say India needs to crack down on software piracy to create jobs and accelerate economic growth.
Piracy - the theft, manufacture, copying and selling of high-tech products - is rampant in India.
In fact, American group Business Software Alliance has revealed that 7 in 10 software applications used in India are pirated.
That is quite high compared with the global piracy rate of 40 per cent and 25 per cent in the US.
Many blame the high cost of licensing.
"The product manufacturing companies also have to keep the broader prospects of the IT user in mind and reduce the licence cost," urged Anand Mutalik, Chief Operating Officer, Kshema Technologies, Bangalore.
The state government of Karnataka has declared zero tolerance against piracy and has taken concrete steps to protect intellectual property rights (IPR).
Karnataka Information Technology Minister DB Inamdhar said: "We in Karnataka have the first cyber laws put in place. We have a cyber police station, which is addressing this particular issue."
Dr P Ravindranath, Deputy Inspector General of Police, in charge of the Cyber Police Station, said: "The government has established a cyber crime police station where we have jurisdiction over offences like corporate violation and even other offences coming under the act."
Analysts say curbing software piracy needs a multi-pronged strategy - police raids on the pirates and an active education campaign.
The laws guarding IPR also need to be strengthened.
As Asia's third largest economy, India must take the issue of piracy seriously.
"If you look at NASSCOM and our members, we are all about intellectual property. Every work we do is intellectual property. Hence it is important for NASSCOM to ensure that adequate protection is given to it," said Som Mittal, Chairman, National Association of Software and Service Companies.
This is especially considering that India's thriving software exports totalled US$9.5 billion in last fiscal year 2002-2003.
It is set to grow by 28 per cent during the current fiscal year. - CNA
"The product manufacturing companies also have to keep the broader prospects of the IT user in mind and reduce the licence cost," urged Anand Mutalik, Chief Operating Officer, Kshema Technologies, Bangalore.
Can software owners sue Indian companys for losses as they can under the rule of law here?
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Bingo. Anybody who pays those guys to develop a product for them is nuts.
That is quite high compared with the global piracy rate of 40 per cent and 25 per cent in the US.
Interesting. I just got a call today from a company that claims to have produced a copy protection system that actually works for CDs. They'll be sending me an evaluation copy, and I'll have one of my tech geeks see if he can crack it....
25% pirated software in the US is still an incredibly huge number.
Well, that would explain how they work so cheap.
Seriously!? Well, it still might be better than Sudan, where they'd take your passport and enslave you....
Are you sure you're not describing the "homeless" population of California...?
keep your eyes on your credit card bills, and watch your stock portfolio for unauthorized trades.
Regards,
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