14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is just one of the U.S. organizations that let Vietnam fight their software anti-piracy fight for them. On June 21, 2007, Microsoft revealed that a group of both U.S. and Vietnamese organizations have inked agreements designed to help reduce the levels of software piracy. Asia in general, and Vietnam in particular, are safe heavens for the piracy, the phenomenon getting to rampant levels. The agreement focused on increased intellectual property protection is a direct result of Vietnam's option for an international status in the World Trade Organization.
"Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet and U.S. Ambassador Mike Marine witness the signing of business agreements between major U.S. organizations, including Microsoft Corp., and Vietnamese companies in Washington, D.C. on June 21, 2007," the Redmond Company stated. "The agreements with Microsoft will improve the protection of intellectual property rights and help reduce software piracy in Vietnam. During the first official visit by a Vietnamese head of state to America since the Vietnam War, President Triet also addressed the expanding trade opportunities between Vietnam and the U.S."
The agreement inked on June 21 is a continuation of a previous partnership signed by Microsoft directly with the Vietnamese government. In May, Microsoft Chief Executive Office visited Vietnam, and together with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung witnessed the birth of an initiative created to stop the use of illegal software in the Vietnamese governmental offices. Following the agreement, Vietnam is now obligated to ensure that all governmental institutions will deploy and use only genuine Microsoft software products.
Strong anti-piracy legislative measures are a must for Vietnam, given the position that the country is looking for in the World Trade Organization. Ballmer revealed that he hoped Vietnam would be successful into building a healthy and legal software ecosystem, even if its starts from the government and ends with the Vietnamese users.