wfn.org | Taiwan Church News - Churches, too, Must Respect Intellectual

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Property Rights
Taiwan Church News 2618  May 5, 2002
Reported by Chen Chin-wan, Written by David Alexander

    In mid-March the executive branch of Taiwan's government
signed into law the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Act
of 2002.  This law requires cabinet departments to strengthen
their education, investigation and enforcement activities
relating to the unauthorized copying and use of computer
software.  The act makes no exception for religious
organizations. The law applies equally to all.
    Initially there was a 45 day period during which neither
investigations nor prosecutions would be brought.  That expired
at the end of April.  Enterprises, including churches and
religious agencies, found using pirated software is now liable to
being charged with violation of the law.
    The Gospel Progress Association is organizing a buying group
which will approach software manufacturers in the hope of
obtaining up to a 40% discount on the computer resources that are
most commonly used by Taiwan's churches.  The association's
spokesperson said that large churches and agencies can probably
afford to replace their copied software with licensed copies at
market cost, but many small churches and organizations will find
this beyond their reach.  The buyers group needs at least 300
congregations and agencies to sign up to qualify for the
discount, and hopes to have that number by May 15th.

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