The discovery of contractors using unlicensed and insecure design software in critical infrastructure projects, led the BSA | The Software Alliance to call on Philippine authorities for stricter measures in software licensing.
BSA said private engineering and design contractors using unlicensed software elevates the risks of public works and infrastructure projects.
“There is too much at stake in the development of national infrastructure projects for businesses involved in these to take shortcuts like using unlicensed software,” said Tarun Sawney, senior director, BSA. “It’s crucial for business leaders in engineering firms to take proactive measures to ensure that software is properly licensed, and therefore receiving security updates.”
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BSA noted that earlier this year, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) revealed a significant increase of 286% in counterfeit and piracy reports across various products during the first half of the year. The agency recorded 52 reports in 2022, which surged to 200 this year, highlighting a worrying trend in copyright infringement across the country.
Intellectual Property Rights
The persistent use of unlicensed software in major national infrastructure projects not only risks the integrity of these endeavors but also underscores a broader regional challenge in enforcing intellectual property rights.
In the Philippines, where police reports on enforcement actions against users of infringing software are infrequent, Sawney emphasizes the government’s need to be cautious of any contractor unable to certify its software licensing.
“It is imperative for the government and the enforcement authorities to enforce the law, while business leaders should prioritize the use of licensed software,” Sawney said. “We cannot use unlicensed software to build infrastructure and expect the outcome to be safe and secure for the public.”