Egypt's rating drops a further 1% as it continues to combat software piracy

CAIRO, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Egypt continues to make progress in combating software piracy as highlighted by its reduced software piracy rating in the sixth annual Business Software Alliance (BSA), IDC Global Software Piracy Study. The report sees Egypt's 2008 rating drop a further one percent on the previous year, with levels reducing to 59 percent, and a total fall of 10 percent since 2003. This is the fifth consecutive year that Egypt's piracy rates have fallen.

The report evaluated data from 110 countries across the globe and covered the piracy of all packaged software including, personal computers such as laptops, desktops and ultra-portables. Whilst Egypt shows commitment to improving its piracy rating, software piracy remains a serious problem in many other countries, hindering economic growth and long-term recovery. The global PC software piracy rate rose for the second year in a row, largely due to the rapid growth of PC shipments in high-piracy countries such as China and India.

Despite the global challenges, Egypt shows determination to tackle piracy head on, highlighting its commitment to providing a modern business environment. Since the first BSA-IDC Global Software Piracy Study, Egypt's piracy rating has fallen year on year, resulting in a lower piracy rating than some of the other leading global outsourcing locations including India (68%); China (80%) and Morocco (66%).

Commenting on the reports finding, His Excellency Dr Tarek Kamel, Egypt's minister of communications and information technology said: "Piracy is still a global issue but Egypt continues to make significant progress against software piracy helping to build the country's position as a leading outsourcing location and improve the wider economy."

Egypt's progress was further recognized in the recent annual 301 Special Report produced last month by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, USTR. The report praised ITIDA for its law enforcement against entertainment and business software piracy, the result of heavy investment in improved laws and training for judges who have jurisdiction over civil and criminal IPR cases within Egypt.

The report applauded Egypt's dedication to tackling the issue of piracy, highlighting how the increased collaboration between Egypt and the U.S. on enforcement for IPR cases has delivered a rise in the number of convictions and tougher sentences for criminals. This sends a clear signal to the rest of the world that Egypt is fully committed to further reducing its piracy rating.

Dr Hazem Abdelazim, CEO, ITIDA comments on Egypt's position in the global market: "Egypt has made excellent progress in reducing piracy levels over the last few years. It has shown commitment to tackling the challenges facing the industry with a number of initiatives including Intellectual Property Rights training for the Egyptian legal community and promotion of the copyright law to increase awareness of IPR and its role in sustaining economic growth and attracting foreign direct investment."

About ITIDA:

The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) is a governmental entity affiliated to Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. It is responsible for growing and developing Egypt's position as a leading global outsourcing location by attracting foreign direct investment to the industry and maximizing the exports of IT services and applications.

Located in the heart of the modern business environment at Smart Village, the six hundred acre business park on the outskirts of Cairo, ITIDA is a self sustainable entity that drives the IT industry in Egypt and raises awareness among the Egyptian people of the benefits and use of ICT to advance socio-economic welfare of the whole community.

    Contact details
    Ahmed Reda
    Media & Communication Manager
    Information Technology Industry Development Agency
    T: +202 534 51 85
    E: areda@itida.gov.eg

    Sarah Bloomquist
    Hill & Knowlton
    T: 212 885 0606
    E: sarah.bloomquist@hillandknowlton.com

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SOURCE ITIDA

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