Business Software Alliance (BSA) said it filed a first damage claim worth SR5 million against a Saudi firm involved in the infringement of copyright law in the Kingdom. BSA is the official representative organization for international software development companies operating in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Al-Dhabaan, lawyer and BSA representative in the Kingdom, said at a press conference, Friday, that BSA-Saudi Arabia has been working to curb piracy in the Kingdom. Eric Smith, President of International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), a coalition of associations representing the United States copyright-based industries, was also present. Al-Dhabaan said software piracy robs the Saudi economy, as well as intellectual rights holders, of an estimated $200 million annually. Majed Garoub, the lawyer representing software publishers in anti-piracy cases said that this case is the first of many cases his client intends to file against companies violating international copyright law. The objective is to protect investors who have brought their business to the Kingdom, Garoub said. “We achieved considerable progress while working with the concerned authorities to win the confidence of investors and encourage them to come and invest in Saudi Arabia,” he said. By protecting intellectual property rights more foreign companies will be encouraged to invest in the Kingdom and thereby strengthen the Saudi economy, he added. Smith is scheduled to hold meetings to discuss with authorities for improved enforcement of laws against the piracy of software, movies, music, and console games. The damage claim, which includes the amount of SR5 million, increasing penalties and imprisonment terms and cancellation of commercial registrations, follows the decision of the Ministry of Culture and Information to form a committee entrusted with examining infringement of copyright law. The claim also culminates in a BSA media and advertising campaign to educate the public on the dangers of purchasing pirated goods, as well as protecting consumers and the rights of software publishers. __
