The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated a crackdown to curb the growing threat of piracy in the country. On Wednesday, Microsoft Corporation lodged a written complaint in FIA Crime Circle Karachi against Softwise Technology for being allegedly involved in copyright violations of its software products and selling them by pre-installing pirated software copies on machines.
Accordingly, on the instructions of FIA Director Sindh Mir Zubair Mehmood, a team of FIA Crime Circle Karachi was formed by Khaliq-uz-Zaman Khan, Deputy Director FIA Crime Circle Karachi. This team, headed by Assistant Director Zafar Iqbal and comprised Sub-Inspector Shahbaz Khan, Sub-Inspector Sanaullah, ASI Bilal and other staff, conducted a raid at the premises of Softwise Technology. A large quantity of pirated software articles including CDs, hard drives and PCs with pre-installed pirated software were recovered and seized by the FIA.
A case FIR No 17/09 dated: 23-04-2009, under sections of Copyright Ordinance 1962, Pakistan Penal Code, and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance has been registered. Softwise Technology's Chief Executive Officer Khushnood Aftab has been arrested in this case. Further investigations are in progress. More arrests in this connection are expected.-PR