| EFCC arrests computer
dealers
By SOLA FANAWOPO
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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From L-R: Valentine Obi, CEO e-Tranzact receiving the
CBN award for the Best enterpreneur most Innovative
product (services) from Tunde Lemo; Deputy governor
CBN
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Last week the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)
arrested some operators at the Computer Village on the tip
off from the software giant, Microsoft incorporation.
Before the arrest,software giant, was affected, Microsoft
had complained to EFFC that some of these dealers aid piracy
of its software. Some of these dealers were therefore invited
for questioning.
An official of EFFC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity,
said that software piracy amounted to intellectual theft that
should be addressed in the country.
Said he: “Microsoft has the right, as a company to report
such incidence to the appropriate authorities .Now, there
is an ss evidence against these dealers ,and they cannot deny
it.”
Daily Sun gathered that those arrested were to bail themselves.The
umbrella body of computer vendors, Computer and Allied Products
Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) has however decried
the use of EFCC by Microsoft to harass computer dealers.
John Oboro, CAPDAN’s secretary, told IT correspondents
last week that five of their members were invited by the commission
in line with a petition written by Microsoft for using pirated
operating system.
He decried the use of EFFC to address the problem of software
piracy,pledging the association’s readiness to partner
with Microsoft in curbing the sale of pirated software in
the village.
He explained that CAPDAN and Nigeria Copyright Commission
had severally carried out raid on sellers of pirated software
in the market.
He accused Microsoft of intimidation, which would be countered
productive in the long run. He added that the association
had reached an agreement with Microsoft vice president when
he visited the market last November, on how to partner in
addressing the issue.
Oboro urged Microsoft to consider reducing the cost of its
software,an action he said would check piracy.
When contacted, John Okereke, License Compliance & Anti-Piracy
Manager of Microsoft ,denied intimidating computer dealers.
He explained that the arrests and summons by EFCC were carried
out after extensive investigations.
He said “In the process, it was discovered that the
parties in question had loaded pirated software on hardware.
Microsoft’s position is that legal resellers should
be protected and not be placed at a disadvantage by the activities
of those who disregard the law. Therefore, we commend the
EFCC for taking one more step in their fight to create a favourable
perception of Nigeria as an environment in which business
and local innovation can flourish”.
He noted that software piracy has a negative impact on the
Nigerian economy in several areas.
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