In July of 2023, Microsoft disclosed a
significant security breach involving a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group
gaining access to the
Microsoft accounts of several top officials in the
US administration. The hackers employed various techniques, including phishing
emails, exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft software, and stealing
credentials from a Microsoft engineer. This
hacking campaign underscores the
vulnerability of government systems to
cyberattacks, highlighting that no
entity is immune from such threats.
اضافة اعلان
Digital piracy is a global issue
The Jordanian
Cybercrime Law defines digital
piracy as "the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of
copyrighted material through electronic devices or networks." This
legislation encompasses both civil and criminal penalties for digital piracy.
Civil penalties include damages, injunctions, and the destruction of infringing
copies, while
criminal penalties involve imprisonment and fines.
Digital piracy is a global issue,
particularly acute in developing countries like Jordan, where the piracy rate
for software is estimated to be as high as 57 percent. Several factors
contribute to this high level of piracy, including low-income levels, limited
awareness of
copyright laws, and the perception of impunity associated with
piracy as a victimless crime.
Digital piracy exerts numerous negative
impacts on both the economy and society. These include loss of revenue for
businesses, job losses, stifling of innovation, increased cybercrime, a decline
in the quality of content, and exacerbated inequality. The Jordanian Government
faces several challenges in addressing
digital piracy, notably the lack of
resources to enforce copyright laws, reluctance from some Internet service
providers to cooperate in blocking pirate websites, and public apathy or
unawareness of the existing laws.
Specific measures to combat digital piracy
To combat digital piracy effectively,
government agencies can implement specific measures. These include creating a
clear privacy policy outlining data collection, usage, and sharing practices,
appointing a privacy officer to oversee privacy protocols,
conducting privacy impact assessments to identify and mitigate risks, implementing appropriate
security measures, providing training to employees on privacy laws, and
responding promptly to privacy complaints. These steps promote responsible and
accountable handling of digital privacy.
Digital piracy is a global issue, particularly acute in developing countries like Jordan, where the piracy rate for software is estimated to be as high as 57 percent. Several factors contribute to this high level of piracy, including low-income levels, limited awareness of copyright laws, and the perception of impunity associated with piracy as a victimless crime.
Jordan’s intellectual property law
Furthermore, Jordan has a range of
intellectual property (IP) laws addressing digital piracy, such as the
Copyright Law of 1992, the Telecommunications Law of 2003, and the
Cybercrime Law of 2017. The Copyright Law of 1992 safeguards a wide spectrum of creative
works and imposes penalties for copyright infringement. The Telecommunications
Law of 2003 prohibits pirate website operations and mandates cooperation
between ISPs and the government in blocking access to such sites. The
Jordanian Cybercrime Law of 2017 is a comprehensive legislation addressing various
cybercrimes, including digital piracy, with similar civil and criminal
penalties and ISP cooperation requirements.
Despite challenges in enforcing
Despite challenges in enforcing cybercrime
laws, the Jordanian government remains committed to their implementation. It
has pursued high-profile prosecutions for copyright infringement and
collaborated with ISPs to block access to pirate websites. Ensuring that
personal data is collected, used, and shared transparently, accountably, and
securely is a shared responsibility for government agencies. The Jordanian
Cybercrime Law provides strong legal protection for copyright holders and
equips the government to investigate and prosecute piracy cases. The long-term
impact of these efforts remains to be seen, but by working together, we can
reduce
digital piracy in Jordan and safeguard the creative industries.
Hamza Alakaleek is a corporate lawyer and tax
consultant with post-graduate degrees in international political economy,
international business law, and law and technology with a focus on internet of
things, artificial intelligence and data protection.
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