KARACHI Nov 12: The Government of Sindh has asked the general public, including commercial and non-commercial organizations and institutions, to comply with Pakistan Copyright Ordinance , 1962 for protecting the intellectual property rights of computer software producers.

"If any person or organization is caught with pirated software or illegal copies thereof, such person, including an officer or director of the organization or company is liable to persecution under the said ordinance," the home department has informed through a public notice.

The punishment under the ordinance includes imprisonment, which may extend up to three years or with fine, which may extend to Rs100,000 or with both and where the offender is again convicted for the same offence the fine may extend to Rs200,000, it added.

"The ordinance inter alia prohibits use and reproduction of software without permission or using computer software illegally copied or reproduced," the public notice said, and added, "all offences under the ordinance are cognizable and non-bailable."

The authorized use of computer software is only granted through the issuance of a license by the owner of the copyrighted computer software, it clarified. -APP