MALACCA: Two companies here, suspected of using pirated software for their operations, were raided by the Malacca branch of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry on Monday and Tuesday.

State KPDNKK enforcement chief Hamzah Mahadi said a total of eight computers and 21 copies of suspected unlicensed software were seized from the two companies operating in Batu Berendam and Ayer Keroh respectively.

He said the total value of the seizure amounted to approximately RM270,000.

“Among the many copies of suspected unlicensed software found were software belonging to Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft,” he told reporters here today.

Hamzah said under the Copyright Act 1987, any organisation operating their business using unlicensed software would be liable to a fine of between RM2,000 and RM20,000 for each illegal copy of software.

“Additionally, the directors of the company and/or its senior management may also face imprisonment for up to five years,” he said.-nst