From March 1, 2011, all CDs, DVDs and audio cassettes will be on sale with holographic images, which will enable consumers to differentiate licensed and pirated products, Grigor Barseghyan, Director of the Microsoft office in Armenia, told journalists Nov. 17. It will improve copyright protection in Armenia.

“This is a serious step – the result of our cooperation with the Armenian Parliament, which will reduce the amount of pirated products in the country,” Barseghyan said.

In 2006, when Microsoft launched activities in Armenia, pirated software constituted 96% in the country. Last year’s surveys showed 90%.

“A total of U.S. $5 million was transferred to the state budget due to this 6% reduction,” Barseghyan said.