Pirated software: Police seize 50 computers

The police raided a reputed garment manufacturer's office suspected of using pirated and unlicensed software. The raid took place in Colombo on April 11. Police seized over 50 computers installed with suspected pirated business software valued at over Rs 5 million.

The police are focused on taking action on an on-going basis against companies using pirated and unlicensed software in their business as these companies are, by now, clearly aware that this is a criminal offence and yet continue to disregard the law.

The Intellectual Property Rights Act No 36 of 2003 states that Computer programs are protected works and are original intellectual creations.

Any person wilfully infringing any of the rights protected under the Act is guilty of an offence and is liable, upon conviction after trail before a Magistrate, to a fine not exceeding Rs 500,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.

Section 187 of the Act states that where an offence under this Act has been committed by a body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission was a Director, Manager, Secretary or other similar officer of that body, shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge.

Consultant to the BSA Committee in Sri Lanka, Shalini Ratwatte said, "There have been several raids connected with software piracy in recent times. The BSA, over the past five years has endeavoured to create awareness and educate the corporate sector on the perils of software piracy. As such, companies, including those that operate in the global arena, need to take more responsibility by adhering to the law, and protecting the overall industry reputation".