Ignoring the following
information can lead to serious problems for computer users.
What is the law?
In March 1999, the Lebanese Parliament passed a new Copyright Law that replaced the 1924
law. The new law expanded the scope of the rights enjoyed by copyright owners, increased
the penalties and provided for stronger enforcement regulations. Today, like before, it is
illegal to import, make, distribute, sell, or rent copies of copyrighted materials
without authorization from the owner. No copies except one backup copy shall be made
without the specific authorization of the copyright owner.
What are the penalties?
Lebanon's Copyright law prohibits reproduction of software without permission from the
owner of the copyrighted computer program. If caught with pirated software, you or your
company may be prosecuted under the provisions of the Copyright law. The penalties under
the law include a fine of up to LL 50,000,000, seizure and/or destruction of
the pirate copies and equipment used for illegal copying, closure of the establishment for
a period of time, and/or a prison sentence of a minimum of one month and extending up to
three years. For repetition of the offence, the penalties will be doubled.
Your responsibilities as a user
Your first responsibility as a software user is to purchase original programs only for
your use. If you purchase software for business use, every computer at your place of
business must have its own set of original software and accompanying documentation. It is
illegal to purchase a single copy of original software to load onto more than one
computer, or to lend, copy or distribute software for any reason without the prior consent
of the copyright owner.
When purchasing software, make sure you buy legitimate products. Many counterfeit packaged
products are designed to look similar to the original manufacturer's products but are of
inferior quality. Consequently purchasers and users of counterfeit or copied software face
unnecessary risks:
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| In addition, if you
purchase software that is counterfeit or copied, you not only deny the software developer
its rightful revenue, but also harm the industry as a whole. All software developers, big
and small, Lebanese and foreign, spend literally years developing software for public use.
A portion of every Lira spent in purchasing original software is funneled back into
research and development so that better and more advanced software may be produced. When
you purchase counterfeit software, your money goes directly into the pockets of software
pirates. The company that develops the software package does not get any money from sale
of illegal software..
Government commitment to law enforcement:
The Lebanese Government is committed to protecting the rights of copyright owners.
Surprise raids will be conducted and deterrent penalties will be imposed. These raids
against software pirates will encourage the purchase of original software.
HIBRI Computer Services:
HCS, HIBRI Computer Services, is offering original licensed
software, as always, and is ready to supply you with all licenced software you may need. |
