David Tran, Ho Chi Minh City

New Civil Code Promises Piracy Protection

Microsoft and other foreign software makers are optimistic about the Vietnamese authorities' commitment to protect software copyright ­ boosting hopes of a sales boom in the country's market.

The new mood follows the introduction of Vietnam's first Civil Code that gives tough provisions to clamp down on pirates and protect the copyright of creative works such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos, music, plays, books and computer software from July 1, 1996.

A recent survey by the international anti-piracy body, Business Software Alliance (BSA), said software producers in 14 countries in Asia ­ including Vietnam ­ have lost around US$4.35 billion through piracy in 1994 against US$15.2 billion lost worldwide.

Before the new Civil Code was introduced, piracy was rife in Vietnam. "We know there are software programs which we never sold in Vietnam but still circulate there," Michael Davis, Manager of Microsoft Vietnam said recently. The company launched its Vietnamese-language version of Microsoft '95 in July, coinciding with the introduction of the Civil Code.

So far, the new law has allowed Davis and other local distributors of Microsoft '95 to express confidence that there would be no damaging effect on their sales of the Vietnamese-language version of Microsoft '95.

But Davis offered some reservations. He said: "We estimate, however, from now to 1997, software piracy in Vietnam will remain up to 97%."

Microsoft pledged to fight against software pirates, saying a long-term educational programme was needed to prevent copywrite breaches. Company officials said Microsoft will launch an anti-piracy education campaign.

After attending the last ASEAN conference as a full member and applying for membership of APEC, the Vietnam government said it was interested in becoming a signatory to the Dame Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.


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