Police raided 227 companies from January to November 2017, finding unlicensed software worth over 430 million Baht installed and used on more than 3,000 PCs. Crackdowns on companies using unlicensed software will continue in 2018, together with public education campaigns to communicate the risks of unlicensed software.
The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD), Royal Thai Police, said from January to November 2017, 227 companies were caught with unlicensed software installed and used on more than 3,000 PCs. The companies raided include those of all sizes in the design, construction, interior design, manufacturing and advertising industries. The value of unlicensed software found in these raids is still as high as over 430 million Baht.
The raids took place in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, SamutPrakan, Nonthaburi and Rayong.
Pol. Col. WinaiWongbuppa, ECD Deputy Commander, reveals that police also educate companies on the risks of unlicensed software. We speak to the media and work with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and the Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI) to promote use of legal and licensed software at the workplace. We expect to see a rate of unlicensed software use in Thailand fall from 69%.
While we are using technologies and innovations to drive the economy, software created by both local and foreign developers has become an important tool. Many local software developers create various applications to satisfy the needs of businesses and individual consumers. Therefore, companies should support these software developers by using licensed software. Use of software, hardware and other technological innovations in a legal manner is also a good governance activity, showing respect to intellectual property rights and compliance with laws.