T

he government will go on a road show and into shopping malls to campaign on the reverse impact of using counterfeit software for personal computers.

The Directorate General of Intellectual Property Rights (Ditjen HAKI) at the Law and Human Rights Ministry has decided to take legal action to protect consumers from such products as a follow-up to a public awareness campaign.

The policy was taken following the discovery of computer virus that spread through the use of fake PC software that could cause problems for users while doing online transactions, as it enabled data phishing.

The research was conducted by experts in computer forensic and malware studies in four Southeast Asian countries last November on 100 new computers using bootlegged software.

'This is a very important discovery and we will pay serious attention to it to protect consumers and honest businesses,' director general Ahmad M. Ramli said on Thursday.

His office had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Anti Forgery Community (MIAP) to work together on a program.

Ramli explained the program was part of a series of campaigns the directorate would launch in the near future to educate people and build their awareness of risks in using fake products.

The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) put Indonesia on its priority watch list due to rampant product forgeries. The International Data Corporation (IDC) said that the rate of intellectual property rights violations in Indonesia had reached 86 percent in 2011 and that losses incurred by fake software distribution had reached US$1.46 billion.

Ditjen HAKI's director of investigation and prosecution Mohamad Adri said the public needed to know the legal consequences of abusing property rights. 'We will take stern measures against property rights violators,' he said.

The 2002 law on intellectual property rights carries a maximum seven year sentence and Rp 5 billion (US$510,000) fine.

MIAP secretary general Justisiari Perdana Kusumah said the institution would support the government in the campaign.

'We can provide the results of the study on the use of fake software to those who need it,' she said.