The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has applauded the stance taken by Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho to ensure that all software programs installed on government computers in the Macau Special Administrative Region are properly licensed.
The alliance says the initiative sets a good example not only for companies in the SAR to follow, but also for other governments around the region. It says Ho is sending a strong message to copyright pirates and users of illegal software.
Under Ho's new dispatch, which took effect from May 1, directors of all public entities and municipal councils must approve the installation of all software.
Before installation, a licence for use must be obtained in accordance with the relevant copyright legislation, or it must be proved that no licence is required. Any officer of the Macau SAR failing to comply with these requirements will be subject to disciplinary action.
The dispatch goes on to specify that special line items should be included in all budgets for acquiring properly licensed computer programs. It also requires that a register be kept documenting relevant details of computer programs and licences.
"It is encouraging to note that governments in the region are now taking a much more serious stance on software licensing," says Tom Robertson, vice president of the BSA. "The issuance of this dispatch by Macau's Chief Executive follows similar actions by the State Council in the PRC, the Premier in Korea and officials in Taiwan, the Philippines and Thailand. In Hong Kong, the government is currently undertaking a comprehensive software audit on all of its computers to ensure full compliance.
Individuals with any information on software infringement by companies in Hong Kong are encouraged to call the BSA hotline on (852) 2861-3366. In Macau, callers can phone the BSA's toll-free hotline on 0800911.