VietNamNet Bridge – Recent snap inspections into software usage have found 14 of 16 firms are using pirated software with a total estimated value of more than VND15 billion.

The inspection campaign has been carried out in the past one month by inspectors from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security’s Hi-Tech Crime Police Department and General Department of Crime Police.

Thirteen of the 14 software copyright violators are foreign-invested firms, with four of South Korea, three of Taiwan, two of the United States, two of Japan, one of Australia and one of Switzerland.

They are based in Hanoi, HCMC, Binh Duong, Long An, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Bac Ninh.

The inspectors checked nearly 400 computers of the 16 companies and discovered over 1,250 applications installed illegally, including popular office applications like Adobe Systems, Autodesk, Lac Viet, Microsoft and Symantec.

The software owners estimate the value of the pirated software at over VND15 billion.

Enterprises chosen for inspection are big and based in major cities or at industrial parks.

Economic experts said copyrighted software applications account for 5-6% of an enterprise’s total operating costs. But those using pirated software applications will pay a high price if found by law enforcement agencies.

SGT/VNN