Tag: Software piracy

“Legal Entrepreneur” campaign encourages the use of legalized software

Source: Lyderis

ABES defends that by using pirated software, companies harm the market, contribute to the increase of unemployment and still delay the country's economic growth

ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies - launched yesterday, March 27, the “Legal Entrepreneur” Campaign with the objective of fighting unfair competition and fostering national competitiveness, exploring the importance of the use of legalized software, among businessmen Brazilians from any segment, and respect for intellectual property.

“SOME MISTAKES ARE IN THE FACE. OTHERS NO ”: this is the message of the campaign that draws a parallel with the game of 7 errors, emphasizing that it is easy to hide some practices of unfair competition, such as software piracy. By using pirated software, the company benefits illegally to the detriment of its competitors, contributes to the increase in unemployment and also hinders the country's economic growth.

The Anonymous Reporting Portal (www.denunciepirataria.org.br) is the highlight of the campaign that opens a new communication channel between companies and associations, encouraging an active behavior of society in combating unfair competition so that an environment of fair competition within the country.

The union between government entities and industry is the great foundation of the campaign that counts on the partnership of ABPI - Brazilian Association of Intellectual Property, APEX - Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments, BSA - The Software Alliance, CNC - Confederação Nacional do Commerce, CNCP - National Council to Combat Piracy, ETCO - Brazilian Institute of Competitive Ethics and MBC - Competitive Brazil Movement.

“With this campaign, we want to give Brazilian entrepreneurs and executives a greater awareness of the principles and advantages of fair competition, which is increasingly demanded by consumers, society and export markets,” explained Gérson Schmitt, president of ABES.

The campaign is based on the high software piracy rates in Brazil, which still reach 53% of the market, according to research by BSA - The Software Alliance. This activity goes against the economic growth and prosperity of the country, contributing to organized crime and impeding the growth of markets, investments in the development of new technologies, generation of new jobs and hindering the collection of taxes.

ABES and BSA launch Software Piracy Reporting Portal

On November 6, the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES) and The Software Alliance (BSA) launched the Software Piracy Reporting Portal, focusing on companies and resellers that use or market programs without proper licensing.

In Brazil, the current piracy rate is considered alarming. According to data from the BSA, for every ten programs purchased or downloaded over the internet in Brazil, more than five are obtained illegally. It is estimated that, if the piracy rate decreased by 10 percentage points in the next four years (from the current 53% to 43%), almost R $ 8 billion would be added to the industry's revenue, of which 74% would remain in the country (R $ 5,8 billion). In addition, this reduction would allow the creation of more than 12 thousand jobs in the sector.

According to Gérson Schmitt, president of ABES, this initiative is important to promote fair competition and contribute to the growth of Brazil. “When we reduce piracy, we create jobs, contribute to the country's economic development and improve the image of Brazilian companies on the world stage”, says Schmitt.

For the president of BSA in Brazil, Frank Caramuru, “companies must maintain control of their software assets and resellers must ensure that they are only selling original products, as irregularities involve imprisonment for 1 to 4 years, fine and indemnity that can reach three thousand times the value of each software ”. The expectation is that this portal will directly contribute to the reduction of software piracy in Brazil.

Reports are anonymous and must be forwarded through the website www.denuciepirataria.org.br. They will be investigated by the two associations and, if there is an indication of irregularity, necessary measures will be taken to ensure that cases are resolved quickly. "We can inform software manufacturers and local authorities, in addition to filing lawsuits to ensure that Brazil's software law is respected," says Caramuru. (With information from ABES Advisory).