DOHA THE Ministry of Justice will collaborate with Adobe Systems Incorporated MENA to step up efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) and reduce software piracy in Qatar, according to Abdulla Ahmad Qayed, director of Intellectual Property Centre at the ministry.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Qayed said the ministry would organise a series of seminars and other events to create awareness about the negative social and economic effects of piracy among resellers and end-users. He said Adobe MENA would be a key partner in the efforts.
Qayed pointed out that government efforts in the last five years have contributed to a significant reduction in software piracy rates.
“Qatar has taken a firm stand against software piracy and violation of intellectual property rights.
The Ministry of Justice, in particular, has been committed to tackling this problem by underlining the legal implications of IPR violations while also creating awareness about the detrimental effects of using pirated software,” he said.
“Resellers and end-users have to realise that software piracy harms a country’s innovation and ability to continuously produce intellectual property, which eventually reduces overall economic activity.
We plan, in collaboration with Adobe, to execute high-profile initiatives to maximise the use of genuine software and further reduce piracy in Qatar,” he added.
He urged people to report individuals or organisations using pirated software to the appropriate agencies or contact the Ministry of Justice on telephone number 44842274.
Head of Anti-Piracy and License Compliance at Adobe Systems MENA Naser Samaenah said: “The Ministry of Justice has been leading the campaign against IPR violation in Qatar, which has reflected positively on the country’s software piracy rates over the last five years. Still, there is much more that needs to be done through the combined efforts of the government, software industry, resellers and end-users.” He said Adobe has a legal right to initiate action against the use of pirated software.
“Studies have shown that a significant reduction in software piracy can generate millions of Riyals of additional revenue for the government as well as new jobs and a range of investment opportunities in the IT-related industries,” Samaenah said.
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