www.tuttiicad.net Cad 3d Software Community Forum Blog Book

Autodesk seizes AED 1 million worth of pirated software in Abu Dhabi

Crackdown on illegal software in line with company's aims to slash number of intellectual property rights violations in the country

Dubai, October 20, 2009 - Autodesk, the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building, and media and entertainment markets, has seized pirated copies of its industry-leading 'AutoCAD 2007' software with a total value of AED 1 million, from an engineering consultancy firm in Abu Dhabi. The piracy raid, which was done alongside the UAE Ministry of Economy and Salem Al Maddfa Advocates & Legal Consultants, is part of the company's campaign to bring down the incidence of intellectual property rights (IPR) violations in the country.

Prior to the raid, Autodesk had profiled the customer and found that around 70 of its employees were utilizing 'AutoCAD 2007' software without legal licenses for the product. Consequently, the manufacturer had sent warning letters and contacted the consultancy firm a number of times to discuss and resolve the matter in a civil manner; however, lack of response from the company prompted Autodesk to take a more drastic action. As a leading design software manufacturer, Autodesk will continue to take a more active role in supporting the UAE Government in implementing IPR and copyright legislations through intensive anti-piracy campaigns and activities.