The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the Royal Thai Police revealed it has raided the head office of a local distributor and installer of infrastructure measurement tools in response to a report received in July 2023.
The company under investigation is a key distributor to several Thai public organizations, including a local irrigation department and a key player in the country's power utility sector.
The investigation has exposed the distributor's use of unlicensed software, specifically AutoCAD 2018 and 2019, in designing blueprints related to their specialized measurement instruments, including equipment used for monitoring ground stability, structural integrity, and other specific measurements. The company was discovered to be employing eight copies of unlicensed AutoCAD software, amounting to a total value of 1,272,000 baht.
The ECD emphasized the importance of these actions, stating, "To ensure the safety of our communities and the welfare of the Thai public, we recognize the need to take action against companies that employ illegal software. All companies, including those who provide products and services to the government, should follow the Thai copyright laws, and use only legal software."
The ECD revealed it had raided 104 companies using unlicensed software in the first half of this year, with a total of more than 500 illegal software instances and a total infringement value of more than 120 million baht. This recent development is part of ECD's ongoing and intensified campaign against counterfeit and illegal software, especially as cybercrimes continue to evolve and target vulnerable organizations in the country and around the world.
In 2022, the ECD intensified its efforts by conducting a total of 272 targeted raids on companies suspected of using illegal software, many of which are primarily operating within the engineering, construction, and design industries. The police found that illegal software was often used in the creation of designs for significant building and construction projects across Thailand. Most of the programs being used illegally include Autodesk, Dassault Systems, and Siemens, among others.
"It's quite alarming that 80% of the companies during these raids had no licensed software, which is a criminal offense under Thailand's software intellectual property laws. The remaining 20% were also found to be 'under-licensed,' using a few licensed products alongside many illegal copies," said the ECD. "When a business or organization relies on such vulnerable software, the entire organization becomes compromised. In cases where these firms are also involved in major infrastructure projects, this not only jeopardizes their operations and data but also poses significant risks to public safety. Therefore, prioritizing software compliance isn't just a legal obligation; it's a fundamental step in safeguarding their businesses and, most importantly, the well-being of the public against potential threats."
The ECD is actively collaborating with business organizations and relevant government agencies to address the risks associated with illegal software use within businesses. The local department is dedicated to ensuring that companies fully comprehend their legal obligations to comply with Thai law. These collaborations aim to develop strategies, share insights, and create awareness surrounding the importance of software compliance.
Thanks to the ECD's intensified campaign and stringent enforcement of software licensing regulations, the number of raids conducted against businesses using illegal software in Thailand has seen a significant decline. In the second half of 2022, there were 144 raids, but this number decreased by 28% to 104 in the first half of 2023.
"The decrease in the number of raids indicates our effective regulatory measures and strong commitment to combat the use of illegal software. It marks a positive stride toward fostering compliance and countering unlawful practices. While we commend this progress, the ECD remains fully dedicated to upholding a robust framework that preserves the integrity of software usage and ensures Thai public security," emphasized the ECD.