Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) police have launched a campaign to safeguard computer software copyright by cracking down on companies using pirated software.
Many firms commit this crime knowingly, but some companies are found to have used certain software without realising the products are illegal and this can expose them not only to legal action but also to the threat of cyber information theft, police say.
ECSD chief Pol Maj Gen Piyaphan Pingmuang said police are monitoring economic crime with the main focus being software piracy.
Thai society may not appreciate that using pirated software is a serious crime, and is the main reason Thailand is being closely watched by countries that own copyrighted software, he said.
The ECSD has been raiding firms suspected of using pirated software since the start of the year, and is now prosecuting more than 150 businesses.
The division found most violators are retail companies selling cosmetics around the region, and construction companies, he said.
These companies earned more than 850 million baht a year in total, and used pirated versions of computer software such as Autodesk, Thai Software Enterprise and Microsoft.
The total value of these types of software, found to have been installed and being used on at least 184 computers, amounts to some 13 million baht.
The ECSD is treating this investigation as its most high-profile case of the year.
Along with clamping down on pirated software use, the ECSD is campaigning to raise awareness about how to safeguard the security of information technology systems.
Information held by businesses could be compromised by the use of pirated software, which may come with malware, he said.
Businesses using computers with pirated software are susceptible to cyber-attacks, which could mean important and confidential business information can be stolen by hackers.
"Several organisations are aware that using pirated computer software is a crime but they simply have not taken any action to correct it. Management should pay more attention to ensuring their companies are using legal software," Pol Maj Gen Piyaphan said.
Despite warnings by the ECSD, he said, many organisations were still putting themselves at risk of having their information stolen by hackers who might exploit security gaps in pirated software and gain access to their IT systems.
"Some business organisations were raided by the ECSD police recently, and are consequently facing legal action. They were in the manufacturing sector, the main target of cyber criminals," he said.
"But the managements of these businesses apparently weren't aware they were in danger of having important business information stolen by cyber criminals due to their use of illegal software," he said.
Making the most of internet technology and social media, the ECSD is communicating with the public via its website and Facebook page about the danger of using pirated computer software in businesses.
It also uses these communication channels to receive tip-offs from members of the public who may know where pirated software is being used, Pol Maj Gen Piyaphan said.
Those who provide information leading to prosecutions are entitled to an award of up to 250,000 baht.
In addition to the online channels, information about pirated software can also be submitted to the ECSD by phone on 02 714 1010. More information about how to report software piracy crime is available at www.stop.in.th.
Investigations into a software piracy case usually begin with police detectives locating companies that use such software, said Pol Lt Col Wikorn Chueakjohor, an investigator attached to the ECSD's Sub-Division 4.
If they raid a company, and find it has been using pirated software, police use a special device to transfer information about the detected pirated software from the company's computers into police files.
The information is kept here for use in prosecuting wrongdoers, without having to seize the computers which normally contain information confidential to the companies, he said.
Any company found to have used pirated software may be charged with violating Section 69 (1) of the Copyright Act and could be fined between 20,000-200,000 baht, he said.
Distributors of pirated software will face a stiffer penalty of six months to four years in jail, plus a fine of between 100,000-800,000 baht, he added.
Legal software could be purchased at a bargain price if corporate users form a group and buy in bulk, he said.
Contact Crime Track: www.crimetrack@bangkokpost.co.th