Operation against software piracy addresses illegal trade in Rio de Janeiro

The action was supported by ABES and seized more than 30 media with counterfeit copies of computer programs

 
The Rio de Janeiro Office for Repression of Crimes Against Intangible Property – DRCPIM carried out the operation to combat illegal trade in Rio de Janeiro on October 23rd. The operation was led by the delegate Dr. Valéria Aragão, who seized more than 30 pirated software media, USBs and drives containing illegal programs.
 
The action is part of the operation started in January this year and has now had its second stage. In addition to seizing unlicensed products, the verification also aims to gather information about the contractual relationship established between tenants, business entrepreneurs and owners of the properties where violations occur.
 
ABES (Brazilian Association of Software Companies) regularly provides logistical support to the actions of police authorities in different regions of Brazil to repress the commercialization of illegal software. For the entity, these actions are important to weaken this activity that opposes the country's economic growth. According to a study by BSA – The Software Alliance in partnership with IDC, in 2014 Brazil will have a loss of US$ 2.848 billion with piracy, which removes 20 thousand jobs annually in the country.
 
Unfair competition
 
According to ABES, by infringing copyright, computer resellers who practice this illicit activity promote unfair competition in the market in which they operate. In addition, they can be criminally liable with a penalty that can range from six months to two years in prison or suffer compensation with amounts that reach three thousand times the price of each program used or reproduced. “Although the price of pirated products may seem attractive, the use of counterfeit copies can cause vulnerability to equipment and put users' data at risk”, warns Jorge Sukarie, president of ABES.
 
Anonymous Reporting
 
ABES, in partnership with BSA – Business Software Alliance, developed an Anonymous Whistleblower portal against software piracy, available at http://www.denunciepirataria.org.br/. “We also have a free application on the portal on Android and iOS platforms”, completes Sukarie.