ALKHOBAR: Over the past four weeks, Microsoft Saudi Arabia has run a campaign explaining to consumers and businesses the very real dangers and impacts of installing a pirated operating system on any PC. Part of its “Genuine” initiative (microsoft.com/Saudi/genuine), the campaign’s goal is to educate everyone on how the issues associated with software piracy are evolving. At the most basic level, software piracy results in the owners of the software code being denied the right to profit from their intellectual property. But that’s not where the hurt ends. Concerns such as the potential for data theft and support to organized crime through the purchase and use of pirated software, have sparked new discussion about the topic.
We’re all familiar with the PCs bought at major electronics stores across the Kingdom. These come preloaded with an operating system and a variety of software. There’s no prohibition though on the importation of “naked” laptops and desktops into Saudi Arabia. These are computers that come onto the Saudi market as hardware without any software preloaded. There is also significant trade in the Kingdom in components which can be assembled into computers. For these locally assembled PCs, the operating system is installed once the machine is functional.
Microsoft Windows is the ubiquitous operating system in Saudi Arabia, but for those who aren’t interested, there are plenty of Linux flavors such as Ubuntu. Consumers and businesses clearly have several options when selecting genuine operating systems. That’s why the choice to reach for a pirated version of Microsoft Windows is so puzzling.
“End users should be aware that when they install a pirated copy of MS Windows on a computer, they put their data at risk,” said Sherif Morsi, Client Business Group Manager for Microsoft Saudi Arabia. “These days, the data stored in a computer is usually worth far more than the PC itself. When you install a pirated copy of Windows, you often install an assortment of spyware and malware onto that computer. That malware comes with the CD. Those pirated CDs were created by criminals. They want people to install those system files so that they will forever bypass any security software used on the computer. The hackers will have a backdoor into the machine and can turn the computer into a zombie which they control. The backdoor can also be used to access any files on the computer including photos, financial records, documents — any data at all that is saved on that computer.”
Data loss is a key concern both in the business and home environment. With a pirated operating system, there is an increased risk that the system will crash and then the data stored on the PC won’t be accessible. A pirated operating system doesn’t come with options for updates and security patches. Every few months a computer running a pirated operating system must be taken to a shop for maintenance. That’s another chance for data loss or theft. The initial SR20 paid for the pirated operating system will be just the first cost in keeping the system running. Every few months another SR50 or more will have to be spent on maintenance. It’s easy to see how the financial outlay can become punitive. Morsi advised that Windows 7 retails for SR150 to SR900 — depending on the version purchased. It’s a one-time payment. Technical support is included.
Despite the anti-piracy efforts of the government and software vendors, losses from the sale of unlicensed software in Saudi Arabia are actually increasing. For the past five years, the research firm IDC has estimated the piracy rate in the Kingdom at 52 percent. But this number doesn’t give the true picture of the situation. The number of PCs imported into Saudi Arabia has risen dramatically over those years. Now about 2.2 million machines come into the market annually. In 2007 the loss to software piracy was $170 million. In 2008 that loss rose to nearly $272 million. The further loss to Saudi society is impossible to quantify.
“Software piracy reduces the incentive for our young people to be interested in creating intellectual property. I personally have a passion for intellectual property rights (IPR), which include copyrights, trademarks and patents. Piracy kills intellectual property in general. You’re killing entrepreneurship, creative thinking and any movement toward a knowledge economy,” said Ayman Al-Takrori, Small & Mid-Market Solutions & Partners Group Director, Microsoft Saudi Arabia. “Plus, what is happening with the funds earned by the sale of pirated software? Who is behind the man selling the CDs?” asked Al-Takrori. “The man selling the CD makes a miniscule amount from the sale. The money is going to someone who is richer than you or me.”
Such observations are not scaremongering. Research into the convergence of crime and terrorism demonstrates that there is an important link between traditional criminal activities and terrorism. It is well illustrated that terrorists use the funds earned by illegal activities, software piracy for instance, to further their heinous objectives.
“There are always two sides to any issue,” Al-Takrori concluded. “The government can raid and fine and try to shut down the supply of pirated software, but the demand is still there. This results in the sellers returning. People need to understand the damage they are doing.”
So please understand that the only beneficiaries from the purchase of a pirated copy of Microsoft Windows are international crime syndicates. If you don’t want to use Microsoft products, use Open Source software. I am proud to state that I don’t run any unlicensed software on my computers. What about you?
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