China to search government computers for counterfeit software

China to search government computers for counterfeit software
The Chinese government has announced that it will inspect computers owned by central and local government authorities for any pirated software that is being used.

The inspection is part of a new push by the Chinese government to tackle rampant software piracy in the country. The Business Software Alliance (BSA) estimated in 2009 that 79 percent of all software used on computers in the country was pirated.



Microsoft also said it has filed a lawsuit against 10 companies in China for selling computers with pirated versions of its Windows operating system and other products pre-installed. "Computers pre-installed with unauthorized software have always been a core problem for the software industry that must be resolved," said Microsoft China's intellectual property general manager, Yu Weidong, in a statement.

The U.S. company has been a major victim of piracy in the country but has been having some success using the Chinese legal system to fight back.

The Chinese government's fight agaisnt software piracy goes back years. In 2006, authorities issued a notice requiring government departments to only buy computers that have legitimate software pre-installed. "They have taken these kinds of steps before. My impression is that this time it's more comprehensive," said Christian Murck, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. He did say however that the move wasn't transparent since it was conducted by the government, within the government.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 1 Dec 2010 13:57
Tags
China Business Software Alliance
Advertisement - News comments available below the ad
  • 4 comments
  • KSib

    Imagine how many copies of photoshop are being used illegally all over the world. I don't know a person who has actually paid for it. I'll stick with paint.net anyway.

    1.12.2010 18:03 #1

  • xboxdvl2

    I have photoshop.

    On another note are the chinese government departments gonna use there own funds to prosecute each other I think not.

    PS2 with 12 games.
    pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

    2.12.2010 04:05 #2

  • ps355528

    I wouldn't want photoshop.. it's overrated and way too complicated and bloated.



    ARR! Them pesky Navy! Get out of my sea! irc://irc.villageirc.net/afterdawn

    2.12.2010 11:30 #3

  • Mez

    Originally posted by ps355528: I wouldn't want photoshop.. it's overrated and way too complicated and bloated. Well then it is not for you. Not everyone has your simple needs. That is why they can sell it for all that money. If you actually need to perform many of the tasks you feel are superfluous then you need it. I was forced to purchase the latest version because my old one was less bloated. It is that or turn down business.

    4.12.2010 13:41 #4

© 2024 AfterDawn Oy

Hosted by
Powered by UpCloud