Ben Reid
4 Oct 2006 16:58
The Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA), the Australian software industry's "pirate hunters" have doubled the reward on offer to anyone willing to turn over pirates using illegitimate business applications.
The organization, which claims to be "dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world," has announced that there would now be $10,000 reward offered to anyone dobbing in copyright thieves.
BSAA chairman Jim Macnamara said the group realised that the previous $5000 bounty was below international standards, while also conceding that claiming the reward is not a straightforward process.
Those willing to co-operate have to do more than just identify a suspected pirate. Informants are required to sign affidavits and "be involved in a legal process," Mr Macnamara added, a process which can be time-consuming.
Mr Macnamara also believes that Australia's 31% piracy rate is still too high by world standards.
Australia has yet to see any criminal cases for software piracy, but has assisted in some US-initiated actions.
Source:
Australian IT