Indonesia and Software Piracy

The Indonesian information technology scene in 2006 went awry when the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft Corporation. However, it has been almost 14 years since then, this country is still a first-class pirate.

At that time, on November 14, 2006, the Government represented by the Minister of Communication and Information, Sofyan Djalil, who is currently the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning / Head of the National Land Agency (BPN), established an understanding with the software giant, Microsoft, represented by the President. Microsoft Southeast Asia Chris Atkinson. Both parties want to legalize hundreds of thousands of Microsoft Windows and Office devices used in government-owned offices.

Based on Bisnis records, in the memorandum of understanding, the Government will purchase 35,496 copies of Microsoft Windows and 177,480 copies of Microsoft Office. In addition, Microsoft will grant 266,200 copies of Microsoft Windows and 266,200 copies of Microsoft Office

The price has not been determined in the MoU, but will be determined from the tender process, which will be followed by resellers and the Government will make payments to resellers who win the tender in three stages over 3 years. The first invoice will be issued no later than June 30, 2007.

As for those who participate in this agreement are all ministries, departments and offices of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, while BUMN and educational institutions are not included in this agreement.

At that time, criticism emerged regarding the agreement because the Government would disburse significant funds to legalize pirated tools. Whereas on the other hand, Indonesia is considered as the motor for the development of an open operating system, accessible and modified by anyone who is often called open source.

The government's motive at that time was to immediately improve Indonesia's ranking in the list of countries using pirated software. At that time, Indonesia was ranked the third worst in the world in the use of software, especially illegal computer software. Of the 5.9 million personal computers (PCs) circulating in Indonesia, as many as 87 percent still use illegal software.

Indonesia's position, followed by Vietnam and Zimbabwe at the bottom, was raised in the dialogue forum of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United States Committee (KIKAS) and PT Microsoft Indonesia. Even based on data from the BSA (Business Software Alliance), losses due to software piracy practices in Indonesia reached US $ 280 million.

This position is quite difficult for Consultant Company Indonesia, especially with regard to trade negotiations between countries, such as between Indonesia and the United States. Uncle Sam's country often makes software piracy a part of trade negotiations which is then used as material for retaliation related to several Indonesian commodities such as shrimp, textiles and so on.

How is Indonesia's position after nearly 14 years? Has the country's position changed on the blacklist of users of pirated software? According to BSA data, in Indonesia, the level of software usage among companies is still above 83 percent.

Therefore, BSA conducted a clean up to the countdown campaign aimed at encouraging company leaders to legalize their company's software assets to comply with the Copyright Law before the end of this year.