NITO organizes anti-piracy rally

Reinstating its commitments to erase piracy in north Bengal, North Bengal IT Traders Organization (NITO) recently organized an anti-piracy campaign, directed towards the end-users to educate them about the use of original software. Organized in association with Microsoft, the rally covered the town of Siliguri with an extraordinary approach. "We hired a stagecoach decorated with anti-piracy covers and stickers, and went around the entire town talking about the use of genuine software. We also hired dhakis, who strummed the beat to gain attention," said Sankar Dhar, project head, anti-piracy campaign, NITO.

Microsoft supported the move by giving T-shirts, brochures and leaflets to participants, which were distributed across the town. However, on the monetary front, NITO claimed it to be an exclusive NITO effort and no monetary help or transaction was involved with Microsoft for the initiative. "Last year, the anti-piracy campaign was targeted towards the dealers of north Bengal; however, this time, we have realized that the dealers in the area are now fully aware of recommending the use of original software to the customers, who (in cases) are reluctant to buy original. This campaign is directed towards educating the end-users to make them understand the use of original software," Dhar said. "Most of the time, dealers complain and opine that they lose customers, as buyers unknowingly opine that software comes free with the purchase of a new PC. This campaign will help them realize that software also needs to be bought and does not come free," he added.

Elated by the success of the rally, NITO is planning to take the trademark stagecoach to the neighboring areas of Cooch-Bihar, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Alipur Duar. NITO joined the Confederation of IT Associations in November.