Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 15
By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend
FINA LLP legal company has suggested to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan to make a schedule for conducting raids in computer shops of the capital to find sales of counterfeit software products", head of the company Nariman Ramazanov told Trend on Tuesday.
FINA LLP has represented BSA (The Software Alliance) in the Azerbaijani market since December 2012.
Raids will be conducted after receiving a final conclusion from the headquarters of the MIA of the country on fighting organized crime, Ramazanov said.
"At the present time, we cannot say when and where raids will be conducted, because it will be a warning for dishonest entrepreneurs and temporarily stop illegal software sales. Raids will be conducted unexpectedly for entrepreneurs, in order to achieve concrete results", he said.
According to Ramazanov, illegal software may be confiscated by a court decision, if somebody files a case.
"It is very important for us to punish dishonest entrepreneurs and prevent such violations from now on", the head of the company said.
The first raid in Baku was conducted by law enforcement agents in December 2013 and counterfeit software was taken away.
The Azerbaijani law on copyright and neighboring rights and the Criminal code of the country, allows legal steps, which are available to right holders for effective protection of their rights. Sanctions for violation of copyright vary from confiscation of incomes, materials and equipment to imposition of fines at the rate of 55 thousand manats.
Illegal use of software may also lead to imposition of fines and public works to 240 hours and/or three years imprisonment.
The official rate for Jan. 15 is 0.7845 AZN/USD.
translated by RA
edited by CN
