IPOH: The State Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Department (KPDNKK) nabbed two company directors whose businesses used suspected counterfeit software in two separate raids carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Perak KPDNKK of Price, Supply and Anti-Profiteering Section chief Ahmad Ahrazzuddin Ahmad Hamdan said the two raids resulted in the seizure of 15 copies of pirated software, six laptops and two desktops worth RM219,000.
"One of the directors, in his 40s, was picked up at his company in Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh on Tuesday, while the other director, also in his 40s, was nabbed at his company in Taman Canning, here.
"The first company specialises in electrical and mechanical contract works, while the other is an interior design firm," he said in a press conference at the department today.
Ahrazzuddin added that the KPDNKK takes a very serious view of companies which violate the law when it comes to software piracy.
"We would not hesitate to take enforcement action against any business that is operating in violation of the Copyright Act 1987, which stipulates that only licensed and legal software can be used in a business environment," he said.
Ahrazzudin added that violation of the law would mean that a company and its management are liable to be fined anywhere between RM2,000 and RM20,000 for each illegal software copy.
"Additionally, company directors and (or) senior management may also be imprisoned for up to five years," he said.