Anti-Piracy Unit steps up crackdown on piracy of business software

The Anti-Piracy and Counterfeit Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lanka Police is stepping up enforcement on businesses in violation of the provision of the Intellectual Property Law of Sri Lanka.

The Unit carried out a raid recently suspected of infringing the intellectual property rights of members of the Business Software Alliance, represented by Sudath Perera Associates. Amongst the pirated and unlicensed software found included those from Adobe and Microsoft. The use of pirated and unlicensed software in businesses is a criminal offence under the Intellectual Property Law No. 36 of 2003.

The inspection and identification of suspected pirated software took over three hours. Thereafter, the police seized 29 computers, installed with suspected unlicensed business software valued at Rs. 3.5 million, all of which were taken into Police Custody for further inspection and thereafter produced in Court.

“Businesses using unlicensed and pirated software have been warned,” said the Director CID. “We have written to over 1,500 CEOs and company board members informing them of the legal implications of software piracy and directors’ responsibilities in this regard. It is the responsibility of senior management to ensure complete adherence to the Copyright Act of the country when it comes to using software. Failure to do so puts their business at risk of being raided by the CID.”

“Hardware vendors who sell pre-installed software have also been warned of the severe penalties that await them should they infringe the law by installing pirated software and/or pre-load multiple copies of software intended to be installed just once, so-called ‘Hard Disk Loading’. The laws of Sri Lanka must be respected. If we are to take our country to the next level in development, we have to create a safe environment where legitimate businesses, innovation and original creations can flourish,” he added.

Businesses are recommended to get in touch with their respective software vendors to address any questions they may have regarding licensing and piracy and ensure necessary steps are taken to adhere to the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, in keeping with the vendor’s licensing principles.

The parties recorded a settlement in the Magistrate Court of Fort on 5 August 2011 and accordingly the matter was concluded.