USAID, Microsoft sign MOU to fight software piracy in Azerbaijan

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Microsoft Azerbaijan has signed today a Memorandum of Understanding forming an alliance aimed at reducing the use of pirated software and boosting innovation, sales and jobs in Azerbaijan`s developing ICT sector.

Prior to the signing ceremony, USAID Caucasus Mission Director Jonathan Conly said the Alliance to be established under the memorandum was designed to fight software piracy in Azerbaijan.

He noted the establishment of the Anti-Piracy Alliance will be important as the prevalence of illegal software puts Azerbaijani businesses and consumers at risk, while criplling the national ICT sector.

According to Conly, the Alliance will begin by training commercial bank auditors from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan to detect the usage of unlicensed software in banks and businesses nationawide.

“In later stages, the project will expand to focus on the risks that large and medium-sized enterprises face by using pirated software.”

Director General of Microsoft Azerbaijan Teymur Akhundov said “we are glad to support this Anti-Piracy initiative that we believe is a timely project for Azerbaijan.”

“Currently we observe positive trends in the market and sincerely hope that success of the project will facilitate correct framework for appropriate business trends.”

Akhundov pointed out the goal of the alliance was to decrease the use of pirated software by 10%. “Secondary effects are estimated to increase the sales of licensed software by 10%, stimulate nearly $20million of economic turnover, generate 3, 6 million in additional tax revenue and create 900 new jobs.”


/AzerTac/