Vol. 491 No. 3
149 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recent reports that seven out of ten PC business software applications used in Ireland are illegal; the estimated loss to the State in revenue and jobs; the action, if any, she has taken or intends to take on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12295/98]
I am aware of recent reports, particularly the study commissioned by the Business Software Alliance on the software industry in Europe, which outline the levels of business software piracy in Ireland. If the figures suggested by the BSA are accurate, then it is an indictment of business practice in Ireland and must be condemned. Any significant level of copyright piracy must have a negative impact on the economy, both directly in revenues to the Exchequer and on employment figures and indirectly, but very importantly, in the perception of Ireland in the eyes of potential business software investors. The BSA study will be examined in detail by my Department.
Directive 91/250/EEC on the legal protection of computer programs was implemented in Ireland by S.I. 26 of 1993. This provides a basis upon which to build strong penalties and remedies for copyright offences in the software field. Since coming into office, this Government has focused on the future enhancement of copyright and related rights legislation. The first results of this were recently produced with the publication of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 1998, which proposes significant increases in penalties for copyright offences and strong presumptions on ownership of copyright. I hope to have this Bill enacted shortly. A more comprehensive copyright and related rights Bill will be published later this year. That Bill, when enacted, will introduce into Ireland a system of copyright protection which will be in line with best international standards and will reflect the priority which this Government gives to reducing copyright piracy in all its forms.
The practical application, especially via civil remedies, of the provisions of the new legislation should, as demonstrated in the BSA study, have a substantial impact on piracy levels in this country.
