PC and CD traders are involved in ongoing monitoring in Armenia aimed at finding pirated software.

Narine Mkrtchyan, an expert for Business Soft Alliance (BSA), who represents Microsoft Company’s interests in Armenia, told NEWS.am that, after conducting inspections, Armenian police took five criminal actions. Later, two of the law-breakers compensated Microsoft for the damage, paying U.S. $5,000 for violating the copyright.

“Experts estimate the damage to be claimed under the three other criminal cases at U.S. $110,000,” Mkrchyan said. According to her, Armenia has paid a total of 3 million AMD (about U.S. $10,000) to Microsoft for using pirated software over the last ten years.

Mkrtchyan said that the Head Department for Organized Crime Control, RA Police, conducted inspections at three big business companies. The results showed that, after receiving numerous written warnings, the company continued using pirated software. The company paid damages, and no criminal action was taken against it.

This year criminal actions have been taken against four shops. The actions can be dismissed if the shops pay damages.