Police to crack down on rampant software piracy

Police to crack down on rampant software piracy

JAKARTA (JP): The police are set to crack down on computer
software piracy, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced
yesterday.

The grace period the government has allowed to voluntarily
stop the piracy of intellectual property is over and the time has
come for the government to take action, he said.

Moerdiono heads a team in charge of enforcing Presidential
Decree No. 34 on the protection of intellectual property rights.

"The team will be out to uphold the presidential decree," he
added.

Indonesia is among the developing countries that the United
States has accused of rampant intellectual property rights
violations. Indonesia passed a law on intellectual property
rights in 1987.

Article 44 of the law states that anyone found copying
intellectual works for business purposes without a permit is
subject to imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to
Rp 100 million (US$38,000).

The law also stipulates that anyone found illegally
broadcasting, displaying, distributing or selling copies of
intellectual work faces up to seven years in prison and a Rp 50
million fine.

Bambang Kesowo, one of the team's members, said the law does
allow people to make up back-up copies for personal use only.

Moerdiono said Indonesia means to keep updating the law on
intellectual property rights in line with new international
conventions it ratifies.

Besides, the government has regularly hold upgrading courses
and seminars for law enforcers, such as the police, prosecutors,
judges and customs officials, he said.

Since the law's passage, the government has organized six
upgrading courses on matters related to intellectual property
rights for judges from all over Indonesia, according to
Moerdiono. (pan)