Software Piracy and Pakistan's Copyright Law
What is the law?
Copyright Ordinance, 1962 amended by the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 1992 ("the Amendment Act") covers computer software. Pakistan is also a member of Berne Copyright Union, the Universal Copyright Convention and GATT/TRIPs which offers protection of foreign works. Today, it is illegal to make or distribute copies computer programs without authorization. No other copies may be made without specific authorization from the copyright owner.
What are the penalties?
Pakistan's Copyright law prohibits reproduction of software without permission from the owner of the copyrighted computer program. If caught with pirated software, you or your company may be prosecuted under the provisions of the Copyright laws. The penalties under the law include a fine of up to Rs. 200,000-, seizure of products used for illegal copying, and a prison sentence of up to three years.