Bosnia Fights Software Piracy

On March 12, the Bosnian authorities, led by the Federal Administration for Inspection Issues, launched a campaign of increased market inspection with an aim to discover and confiscate illegal software.

All companies in Bosnia using, distributing or trading with software will be subject to inspection and first results will be released next month. The inspection will particularly focus on banks, sports betting places and design and architectural studios.

The campaign also aims to educate the public about the importance of intellectual property protection, raise awareness about the dangers of using illegal software and to stop the expansion of the black market.

According to official statistics, Bosnia currently has a 66 percent software piracy rate as a result of which the country loses about USD 14 million (EUR 11 million) in taxes as well as 1,400 jobs each year.

USAID in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Business Software Alliance will assist the Federal Administration for Inspection Issues in the implementation of the planned activities.

For more information, please contact Alma Vilic at our Bosnia office.

Source: The Federal Administration for Inspection Issues