Authorities will step up checks on the use of software at enterprises in a bid to crack down on software piracy.

Inspectors carry out a software check at a company. Competent agencies will step up inspections on the use of software at enterprises in a move to crack down on software piracy – Photo: Van Ly

According to a report released at a conference last week by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) to review a one-month campaign in support of World Intellectual Property Day, inspectors of the ministry have received 40 requests for dealing with pirated software in the year to date. They have inspected 25 organizations and individuals suspected of infringements and imposed fines of over VND850 million (US$38,063) on violators.

Inspectors of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hi-tech Crime Control Police Bureau have detected more than 500 software violations after checking 247 computers at enterprises in southern provinces and cities.

There are over 500,000 operational enterprises in Vietnam and the current software copyright piracy rate is 78%, heard the conference.

Tran Minh Dung, chief inspector of the Ministry of Science and Technology, told the conference that the campaign aimed to raise public awareness of intellectual property rights nationwide.

“Relevant agencies will further check industrial copyright and computer software in the coming time to protect intellectual property rights and fulfill Vietnam’s commitments to the international community in this field,” Dung said.

Roland Chan, senior director of BSA’s Compliance Program for Asia Pacific, said the alliance has recognized Vietnamese agencies’ effort to protect intellectual property rights. As a result, software piracy has slid to 78% this year from 81% in 2015.