Government toughens up on illegal software

The Vietnamese Government is cracking down on counterfeited, pirated, and illegal copy software disks across the country.

In an effort to enforce Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, officials have been confiscating software discs at computer shops.

The Market Management Bureau of Hanoi reported that in 2010, “The Market Management Bureau of Hanoi will accelerate enforcement activity against counterfeit discs in the second half of 2010 because there are still a lot of shops selling counterfeit discs in Hanoi openly.”

Previous raids have focused on shops selling computers containing unauthorized software applications or businesses using illegal software, but now, shops selling counterfeit discs are now also a target.

Recently, Hanoi’s Market Management Bureau confiscated counterfeit discs including software such as Windows 7, Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2003, and more. Three notable shops were Gia Huy, New World and BT which are all located in Ly Nam De Street in Hanoi.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the authorities also discovered and seized pirated discs comprising of “Nero”, PC Games, Photoshop and other such software at Lamba shop on 160/1 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, district 1. Other raids were conducted at Thao Shop and KT computer shop 162A and 95 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Pham Ngu Lao ward, district 1. At these two shops, the authorities seized counterfeit products such as Windows 7 Professional, Windows XP Professional, and Microsoft Server 2003, etc.

These efforts from the Government, especially in inspecting corporate end-users, computer-trading companies using pirated software and now shops selling counterfeit discs, reflects Vietnam\'s determination to crack down against IPR infringement.