Karnataka Police sets anti-piracy agenda

The country saw its first end-user anti-piracy raid in Bangalore recently.

This step was taken by the local police force on the basis of the feedback

received about the use of pirated software. Hard disk drives were confiscated as

evidence and arrests were also made.

This step is being lauded by software vendors who say that it will instill a

sense of fear among users of pirated software. Says Sandeep Mehrotra, Channels

Manager, Adobe India, "This kind of action will curb piracy in private

organizations."

Software vendors like Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk and Symantec got together to

train as many as 30 middle and senior level policemen to help them understand

the concept of piracy and distinguish between genuine and pirated software. Says

HT Sangiyana, Police Commissioner, Karnataka, "The training provided a

useful input to our men."

For the Karnataka Police, the effort shall be an ongoing exercise to curb

piracy in the state. Adds Sangiyana, "We are making a constant attempt to

assist all those affected by piracy." The police has put its informants in

place and acts on the information so received. "We hope to get more

aggressive in the future," remarks Sangiyana.

This is also seen as an effort to send positive signals to software companies

who have invested heavily in the state. Industry watchers however lament that a

similar initiative was not being taken by other state police departments.

MOHIT CHHABRA