Telecom News Bulletin

Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) and Microsoft have reaffirmed the resolve to make joint efforts to promote Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in the industry to ensure healthy and steady growth in the sector. These efforts would be based on consumer awareness pertain to respect for the IPRs and on the facilitation to industry aiming at provision of affordable software to the end-users in Pakistan.

Group photo containing Munawar Iqbal, Central President Pakistan Computer Association (PCA), Salman Siddiqi, Manager Anti Piracy, Microsoft and other representatives of the both organization at the occasion of special consultative meeting.

Both the organizations expressed this resolve during a special consultative meeting between PCA delegation and Microsoft officials held here on the last day. Besides others, PCA delegation was comprised on Munawar Iqbal, Central President, Abdullah Malik, President PCA Islamabad Chapter, Arshad Janjua, General Secretary Central, Abrar-ul-Haq, Joint Secretary Islamabad and Executive Members of Islamabad A. R. Tahir, Zafar Shahzad, Asad Haider and Muhammad Younis while Salman Siddiqi, Manager Anti Piracy, Faysal J. Kayani, Shoaib Khalil Manager Mareting and Wamiq Ali represented Microsoft in the meeting.

Munawar Iqbal, on the occasion, suggested that the proposed awareness campaigns in regards with promotion of IPRs ought to be stipulated with facilitation and incentive for the industry so that the equilibrium related to cost-effectiveness and affordability could be maintained. Referring to recently signed landmark MOU between two organizations, he suggested that practical measures should be taken to involve all the stake-holders, especially, the vendors’ community to achieve the stated objectives effectively and for the overall well being of the industry.

The representatives of the both organizations underlined the need of working in close coordination. The PCA officials highlighted various practical issues i.e. proper documentation of incentives, direct repeated calls etc and said that mutual understanding and collaboration should be enhanced in regard with resolution of such issues.  The participants reached on the agreement that shared vision would be employed to raise awareness regarding respect for IPRs and its benefits for the industry as well as national economy. Besides other mediums, proposed awareness campaign for the promotion of IPRs would include country-wide seminars, informative literature and special trainings as effective tools of communication. Moreover, consistent support to reseller community would be ensured to enable them to manage their businesses in a ethical, legal and profitable manner.