Ugandan Govt Officials Viewing Pirated Software: Image Source: New Vision
This past week brought some very significant I.T developments in Uganda that will definitely change the way I.T Business is conducted in Uganda and the whole East African Region.
An Asian Businessman was arrested for distributing pirated software products mainly from Microsoft Corporation. The move by the Microsoft sponsored Law Enforcement is certainly going to cause large changes in Uganda’s ‘I.T Street Industry’.
MICROSOFT in conjunction with the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) have nabbed Asians in Kampala with pirated computer software. The Asians were caught during an anti-piracy operation coordinated by the society in the city centre and its suburbs. The two Asians were manning Infopoint shop that deals in computers and accessories on Kamu Kamu Plaza on Entebbe Road. They were nabbed by the Police and taken to Central Police Station (CPS) for interrogation. James Wasula, the general secretary of the UPRS, said copyrighted software was highly pirated by computer dealers. “Almost all types of desktop software are pirated. To a large degree, we see desktop operating systems, desktop applications plus server and data centre software affected.” Lion China Computers on Kampala Road was also nabbed with duplicated software CDs that were taken to CPS as exhibits. Michael Berenju, the enforcement officer with Microsoft East Africa, said over 86% of all used software was pirated, leading to an increase in computer viruses. Berenju noted that the increase in computer viruses boosts anti-virus service providers. He said software piracy had led to revenue losses of around $30m (sh68.2b) to all firms in the software industry including Microsoft.
On my last visit to Uganda’s Capital, Kampala, it was very difficult to come across any business that sold new authentic software applications. There are a large number of Computer Hardware stores, of course many with duplicate and fake computers mainly from Asia.
However, I walked the streets of Kampala looking for a store that sold authentic software applications and just few. One Asian businessman simply told me that software does not sell in Kampala because everyone pirates…and he was right…
The move by the Ugandan Government to enforce laws is the right thing to do and will help in reducing the number of fake and duplicate I.T goods in the country.
I remember a friend who bought a new “Dell” computer from an Asian businessman and after a few months when this friend got an internet connection, the “Dell” Machine failed to register and the Windows XP application was a pirated copy.
A few weeks later the “Dell” Machine crashed. Later this friend of mine realized that he had bought a fake Dell computer – he bought an imitation Dell computer from Asia with a pirated version of Windows XP.
Uganda’s Government is moving a step in the right direction both to protect the Ugandan Consumers and the genuine business folks who cannot conduct business amidst pirates, fake business people, and outright criminals and imposters.
Yet still what is a little bit disturbing is Microsoft’s involvement in the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Laws in other nations, certainly Uganda. Why does Microsoft have to grant money to Ugandan Government to enforce copy right laws? Does this not create an advantage over Microsoft’s Competitors? Will Microsoft arrest guys in Kampala who are busy selling Pirated copies of Oracle Software or SAP?
Though the move to enforce copyright laws in Uganda is welcome, yet Microsoft being a funder and among the World I.T Police is certainly suspect and leaves one to wonder what the intentions of Microsoft are in acting as Africa’s I.T Police…
Kato Mivule | June 2, 2009
This past week brought some very significant I.T developments in Uganda that will definitely change the way I.T Business is conducted in Uganda and the whole East African Region.
An Asian Businessman was arrested for distributing pirated software products mainly from Microsoft Corporation. The move by the Microsoft sponsored Law Enforcement is certainly going to cause large changes in Uganda’s ‘I.T Street Industry’.
MICROSOFT in conjunction with the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) have nabbed Asians in Kampala with pirated computer software. The Asians were caught during an anti-piracy operation coordinated by the society in the city centre and its suburbs. The two Asians were manning Infopoint shop that deals in computers and accessories on Kamu Kamu Plaza on Entebbe Road. They were nabbed by the Police and taken to Central Police Station (CPS) for interrogation. James Wasula, the general secretary of the UPRS, said copyrighted software was highly pirated by computer dealers. “Almost all types of desktop software are pirated. To a large degree, we see desktop operating systems, desktop applications plus server and data centre software affected.” Lion China Computers on Kampala Road was also nabbed with duplicated software CDs that were taken to CPS as exhibits. Michael Berenju, the enforcement officer with Microsoft East Africa, said over 86% of all used software was pirated, leading to an increase in computer viruses. Berenju noted that the increase in computer viruses boosts anti-virus service providers. He said software piracy had led to revenue losses of around $30m (sh68.2b) to all firms in the software industry including Microsoft. http://newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/682561
On my last visit to Uganda’s Capital, Kampala, it was very difficult to come across any business that sold new authentic software applications. There are a large number of Computer Hardware stores, of course many with duplicate and fake computers mainly from Asia.
However, I walked the streets of Kampala looking for a store that sold authentic software applications and just few. One Asian businessman simply told me that software does not sell in Kampala because everyone pirates…and he was right…
The move by the Ugandan Government to enforce laws is the right thing to do and will help in reducing the number of fake and duplicate I.T goods in the country.
I remember a friend who bought a new “Dell” computer from an Asian businessman and after a few months when this friend got an internet connection, the “Dell” Machine failed to register and the Windows XP application was a pirated copy.
A few weeks later the “Dell” Machine crashed. Later this friend of mine realized that he had bought a fake Dell computer – he bought an imitation Dell computer from Asia with a pirated version of Windows XP.
Uganda’s Government is moving a step in the right direction both to protect the Ugandan Consumers and the genuine business folks who cannot conduct business amidst pirates, fake business people, and outright criminals and imposters.
Yet still what is a little disturbing is Microsoft’s involvement in the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Laws in other nations, certainly Uganda. Why does Microsoft have to grant money to Ugandan Government to enforce copy right laws? Does this not create an advantage over Microsoft’s Competitors? Will Microsoft arrest guys in Kampala who are busy selling Pirated copies of Oracle Software or SAP?
Though the move to enforce copyright laws in Uganda is welcome, yet Microsoft being a funder and among the World I.T Police is certainly suspect and leaves one to wonder what the intentions of Microsoft are in acting as Africa’s I.T Police…
Read Full Post »
Microsoft’s Legal Gamble Againts Software Piracy in Africa
Posted in Kato Mivule's I.T Commentary on June 29, 2009 | 2 Comments »
By Kato Mivule | June 29, 2009
This past week has seen yet another maneuver by Microsoft’s fight against Software Piracy in Uganda but leaving observers as to what the real motives of Microsoft Corporation are in Africa. Press reports in Uganda showed that Microsoft has hired local legal teams to file charges against Ugandan Locals involved in the illegal acquisition of Microsoft’s Products.
There is no doubt that Software Piracy thrives in Kampala, Uganda’s Capital and that Software companies and vendors almost make no money through the sale of proprietary software. However, the trouble with Microsoft’s approach is that they are not dealing with the root cause of the problem of Software Piracy in Uganda. The trouble with with Software Piracy in Africa is largely a Microsoft self created and self inflicted problem.
Microsoft Windows Vista Logo
I am in no way agitating for the “freedom” of Software Piracy, nor do I condone any kind of theft of Proprietary Software. I do design Databases, and while in Uganda, I found it very difficult to market or even sell any Database System to anyone simply because folks would get one free for pay little fee for a pirated copy. Secondly, you would design and develop a Database System for one entity, only to find it distributed free across town.
The problem is economical and larger than just Software Piracy of Microsoft’s Products. Microsoft has made their products very expensive to purchase and market their products in Africa as if selling to America’s Middle Class. No one in Africa is willing to pay 450 US Dollars for just a Copy of Windows Vista or Microsoft Office for use at home or in a small business office.
Though there is a growing Middle Class in Africa, the earnings of such a class cannot afford a 450 US Dollar proprietary software. 450 US Dollars is some one’s monthly Salary in Africa’s Middle Class. Yet still Microsoft has targeted schools and institutions of Higher Learning in Africa by “forcing” poor parents and students to pay as part of their tuition for Microsoft Proprietary Software on school computers. This is the same Microsoft that is sending out donations to Africa’s institutions in so-called efforts to “bridge the digital divide”…and the public outcry against Microsoft’s practices in Africa is just beginning…
While I deplore the acts of Software Piracy and what that means for hard working businesses, I have less pity for Microsoft as I think that Microsoft should change their business model in Africa to encourage a culture of respect for intellectual property and make Software products affordable in the African market. Microsoft should borrow a leaf from the successful African Telecom companies that are reaping ‘big time’ form high Cell Phone Subscriptions that are made very affordable to locals.
Microsoft 'Bing' Search Engine Logo
Still Microsoft’s efforts in Uganda will stall as Uganda’s copyright and interllectual property laws are full of flaws and generally outdated. Another fear is that Microsoft could use it’s legal and Dollar powers to bribe government officials into signing binding contracts with Microsoft for her products thus defusing competition fom other Software developers. Microsoft’s Software Policing in Africa is being viewed with suspision.
Read Full Post »