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Microsoft Calls For Stronger IP Protection On World IP Day
Published May 2, 2011
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Microsoft Jordan is joining the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in recognizing World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, an event that calls on the IT industry, governments and consumers to speak out about the importance of IP rights. Strong IP protections are central to instilling a culture of innovation, which can spur economic growth, create jobs and increase revenue for the broader industry and government organizations.
Sana Jaser, Microsoft Jordan IP Lead, stated “The IT industry’s leading global market research and forecasting firm, IDC, released a study stating that reducing software piracy in Jordan could generate hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in economic growth, while increasing tax revenues to support local programs and services. A 10% decrease in software piracy over the next four years would create an additional 436 jobs, USD 47 million in local industry revenues and USD 14 million in additional tax revenues for federal, regional and local governments.”
Microsoft believes that the Kingdom needs stronger IP protections in place to safeguard the industry’s ability to innovate, level the playing field for small businesses, and help local governments generate tax revenue through the legitimate sale and trade of genuine software.
“Jordan has witnessed a steady decline in software piracy rates since 2003 managing to reduce piracy to 58%, which is below the regional average, and to that effect, we strongly believe that sound IP policies will strength the Jordanian economy and can help reduce software piracy and counterfeiting, which we know sap government resources, threaten legitimate businesses and expose consumers to the risks that come from using non-genuine software,” said Sana Jaser, Microsoft Jordan IP Lead. “Software piracy and counterfeiting tend to thrive in places with weak IP protection, and this has an enormous, and negative impact on the economy.”
According to a study commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce in 2011, the global economic and social impacts of counterfeiting and piracy will reach $1.7 trillion (U.S.) by 2015 and put 2.5 million legitimate jobs at risk each year. Conversely, the economic rewards for countries that strengthen IP protection and reduce piracy are substantial.
Not only is strong IP protection economically beneficial, but consumers are demanding that the industry and governments take a stand against non-genuine software. In a 2010 Microsoft-commissioned consumer perception survey of 38,000 consumers in 20 countries, nearly three-quarters of consumers wanted the industry and government to do more to protect them from risks associated with non-genuine software, including identity theft and virus attacks. By a three-to-one margin, consumers agreed that non-genuine software is not as safe to use as genuine software, and respondents named data loss and identity theft among their top concerns.
“Consumers and legitimate businesses are asking us to take action and reduce the risks that non-genuine software exposes them to, and we are 100 percent committed to helping them,” said Jaser. “Microsoft invests heavily in technologies, education and enforcement programs to make software piracy more difficult, and we will continue to push for effective IP regulations on behalf of consumers and businesses.”
Microsoft:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
For more information:
Samar Kolaghassi
Account Director
iRelations
T: +9626 461 1014
F: +9626 461 1018
Posted by
VMD - [Virtual Marketing Department]
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