INTERNET CAFÉS RAIDED FOR SOFTWARE PIRACY
Police Actions Continue in Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani Software Piracy Cases
BANGKOK, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009--The Economic and Cyber Crime Division (ECD) raided two internet cafés in Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani, their second operation in less than two weeks time.
The owners of Internet cafes that violate the Thai Copyright Act will face criminal prosecution.
The Internet café Data Network Provider, located at 169 Kheun-Thani Rd., Nui Muang, Muang, Ubonrachathani and Perth Net located at 124/8 Sree Suk Rd., Mark Kang, Muang, Udonthani were raided by ECD officers after reports that numerous unlicensed software programs were used at the two Internet cafes. If convicted, offenders may face a fine of up to 800,000 baht and a jail term of up to 4 years.
“It is disappointing to see this suspected criminal activity continuing despite earlier Police actions” said Pol Lt Col Pairoj Rojjanakhajorn, Investigation Inspector of the Economic and Cyber Crime Division (ECD). “Software piracy hurts the Thai economy.”
Somporn Maneeratanakul, Managing Director of Thai Software Enterprises, a Bangkok-based software developer whose popular Thai dictionary program is frequently pirated, said “copyright infringement damages our domestic software production and distribution businesses. We commend the Police for taking strong actions against intellectual property crimes”.
A study undertaken by IDC, an independent research firm, shows that the 76 percent software piracy rate in Thailand represents a US$609 million loss to the Thai economy.