FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Illegal software crackdown intensifies in industrial estates

Illegal software crackdown intensifies in industrial estates

TIPS HELPFUL to the identification of companies using illegal software in the areas of Bangkok and industrial estates have continued to reach the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the Royal Thai Police in the first two months of the years with police having carried out more than 38 raids on business entities for using unlicensed software.

People and copyright holders are sharing information about companies using unlicensed software with ECD police through many channels. 
The tips received contain enough details about use of illegal software in companies located in the areas of Bangkok and manufacturers in industrial estates nationwide such as Chonburi, Rayong, Sumutsakon, Nakonrachasima and Sumutprakan. Since the beginning of the year, more than 38 raids have taken place, involving 690 PCs where unlicensed software worth more than Bt79 million were installed and used. Programmes of Autodesk, Microsoft, MasterCam, Solidworks and Thai Software were frequently found being used without licences.
 Police reports further found that the raided companies were in the industries of metal moulds casting, furniture, plastic, electronic parts, construction and architecture services, interior design and decoration services. 

Reputable firm 

One of them was a big and well reputed firm found to be using unlicensed software for designing and other work on more than 50 PCs within its organisation.
Pol Col Winai Wongbuppa, ECD Deputy Commander, said enforcing the law to deter companies from using illegal software is necessary, as well as educating them on intellectual property protection laws. Business organisations, regardless of which industry they are operating in, should have knowledge and information about the use of software within their organisations and should ensure that software used is fully licensed to avoid legal problems and other risks including cybercrime and reputation damages . 
 At this moment, the Thai government is fighting infringements of intellectual property rights that are harming the reputation of the country and impairing Thailand’s credibility in international trade and investment. 
The government has instructed relevant agencies to monitor, prevent and enforce the law to deter the use of counterfeit goods. ECD police has been cracking down on copyright violations including use of illegal and unlicensed software. We would like to ask for cooperation from business entities and people to comply with the laws to increase the protection of intellectual property rights in Thailand, he added.
 

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