Riyadh crackdown on copyright violators 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Inspectors of the Ministry of Culture and Information represented by the department of copyrights have launched an all-out crackdown on violators of copyright laws who sell copied software, games and movies at the computer market in the Al-Ulaya district of Riyadh.

The crackdown, which the traders in the area described as the biggest in recent years, took place last Thursday. It started at 11 p.m. and lasted until 3 a.m. the following day. Initially, the campaign targeted the parked cars in the computer market that were used by copyright violators to store and distribute the copied software and products.

Director General of Copyrights Department Rafiq Al-Aqili said the campaign was launched on the directives of Assistant Undersecretary for Internal Media Abdulaziz Al-Aqil following complaints by copyright owners on infringements on their intellectual works by a number of violators who sold copied movies and software.

The department has been monitoring the activities of vendors for several weeks and spotted a number of cars, including parked or moving ones, used to facilitate the task of copyright violators. Additionally, makeshift fenced stores were erected on sidewalks in violation of municipal laws and regulations that were used to store copied and pirated items, he said.

The campaign resulted in the seizure of 17 parked cars. Another 12 vehicles will be seized in the next few days, he said.

During the crackdown, several illegally erected stores were dismantled and pirated software and movies confiscated.

The security and municipal campaign will continue during the next days with a view to putting an end to activities of intellectual property violators who are using streets and sidewalks in carrying out their illegal activities, Al-Aqili said.