By IPS Correspondents
DUBAI, Feb 19 2003 (IPS)

Over 100 copies of illegal software installed in 23 computers were seized in a raid conducted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Information on a computer training center in Dubai.

The confiscated items were copies of Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Office ’97, Office 2000, Office XP, AutoCAD 14, AutoCAD 2000, Adobe and Norton Anti-Virus. The raid also yielded 130 counterfeit copies of the Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC), according to a story carried today by major UAE dailies.

Anti-piracy organizations welcomed the ministry’s action. "We would like to commend the Ministry of Information for undertaking this initiative, which will go a long way in combating the usage of illegal software in the country," Chief Executive Officer of Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance Scott Butler said.

"The UAE has accorded top priority to the task of clamping down on violators of software protection laws, both operators as well as end-users. The move comes at an opportune moment and reflects the seriousness of the Ministry of Information in bringing the culprits to book," he added.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA), another group representing software manufacturers, has been working with the Ministry of Information to protect the interests of software manufacturers.

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