Software development firm raided for piracy

The Delhi police conducted a raid on a software company Astell Infotech in Delhi for alleged unauthorized storage and usage of more than 20 copies of Macromedia software in violation of The Copyright Act, 1957. Astell InfoTech has offices in New Jersey, United States and New Delhi and provides services to large MNC clients in the US.

An interesting aspect of this case is that the raid was conducted on a software development company which itself creates intellectual property. 

15 systems containing pirated Macromedia software were seized. The seized systems contained Macromedia software of Flash 5.0, Flash MX, and Dreamweaver MX. A criminal case has been registered under section 63/63(B) of the copyright Act, 1957 against the directors of Astell Infotech in Delhi on the basis of a FIR lodged by a representative of Macromedia.

A senior Police official has stated that Delhi Police will continue to help software industry by taking action against offenders of Intellectual property. 

Shriram Krishnamachari, Country Manager, Macromedia India says, "Companies, which use illegal software for their own benefit, are robbing software developers of their valuable intellectual property and placing the future viability of software industry at risk. No company should place their hard fought business reputation at risk by using unlicensed software." 

He adds that 85% of companies in India are using illegal Macromedia products and Macromedia is educating end-users to legalize their Macromedia software. 

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MUMBAI