Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 30
By Huseyn Valiyev – Trend:
Extension of the moratorium on business inspections in Azerbaijan may once again lead to deferral of anti-piracy raids aimed at revealing the facts of using pirated software, Nariman Ramazanov, head of FINA LLP, a law firm representing the Software Alliance (BSA), which brings together the world’s largest software makers, told Trend Oct. 30.
Earlier, the Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the law on suspending business inspections starting from November 1, 2015 for two years with the exception of inspections that can be conducted only based on facts of threats to life and health of people, state security and economic interests.
“The period of the moratorium expires November 1 this year and in case of its extension we intend to apply to the appropriate authorities so that the moratorium extension wouldn’t concern measures to combat software piracy,” Ramazanov said.
Suspension of business inspections caused temporary refusal from anti-piracy raids.
Microsoft Corporation has reliable information obtained from its Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) on the number of installations of pirated software, Ramazanov added.
The Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) is a Microsoft sponsored team of international legal and internet security experts employing the latest tools and technologies to stop or interfere with cyber crime and cyber threats.
“Unfortunately, there are offenses in both private and state enterprises in the Azerbaijani market,” Ramazanov said. “There are enterprises that use more than 2,000 computers with pirated software installed. We appealed to these enterprises in a written form, and if no reaction follows, we will have to appeal to court.”