A Hong Kong business association has warned that a new law against
use of illegal software is likely to mean the closure or relocation
to the mainland of around 5,000 small firms because licences are
too expensive for small firms to afford.
The Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance
came into force on Sunday in the territory, carrying a potential
fine of up to HK$50,000 and up to four years imprisonment for every
piece of pirated software found.
Simon Shi Kai-biu, president of the Hong Kong Small and Medium
Business Enterprises Association, is reported by South China
Morning Post as saying that small businesses using software
illegally cannot afford the licences. He called for the Government
to introduce two-year loans of up to $200,000 to help companies
with the transition to legal software. He is also calling for a 70%
discount on Microsoft products.
