Kenya's copyright board has raided companies in the country that it suspects of using pirated software.
The crackdown on illegal software followed the end of a 30-day amnesty period announced by the board and Microsoft, in mid-December last year, for businesses using illegal software.
Punishment for those caught using pirated software has varied from fines of $9 500, to jail terms of up to five years.
Microsoft research found that only 20% of Kenyans use genuine software, which is lower than the global average of 41%, according to the Business Software Alliance.
"We've recently uncovered several counterfeit versions of Microsoft software,” says Edward Sigei, chief legal counsel of the Kenya Copyright Board.
"Pirating software is often seen as a cheap alternative to purchasing it legally. However, in the long-term, it can be far more costly," Sigei notes.
Research group International Data Corporation says that if software piracy in Kenya is reduced by 10% over a period of four years, 977 additional local IT jobs would be created and $73 million contributed to Kenya's gross domestic product.
Furthermore, this could result in an increase in revenue for the Kenyan IT industry of $40 million and additional government revenue of $7 million, in the form of taxation.
But the research company's analysts say Kenya faces an uphill battle to get people to switch to legitimate software as insufficient legislation, a lack of compliance and a lack of appreciation of intellectual property rights drive high piracy rates in East Africa.
Kenya's crackdown on pirated software this year, though, has produced positive results as Microsoft says it has seen increased sales of its licences and more awareness of the problem.
“The amnesty period increased awareness of the need for companies to not only have legal software, but also ensure they are correctly licensed,” says Eric Odipo, channel lead, Microsoft East and Southern Africa.
“This was evident from the numerous calls and follow-up meetings with business owners seeking to legalise or correct any mis-licensing.”
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