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)