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Bulgaria again on the IIPA pirate-country list

Bulgaria was one of the countries "deserving a special mention" in this year's report of the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) because of "continuing concerns regarding high levels of piracy, lack of leadership and coordination by certain Bulgarian government officials and the need to improve enforcement of existing laws."

According to IIPA, during 2007, "Internet piracy in Bulgaria reached alarming proportions, no longer a distant second to the longstanding problem of physical (hard goods) piracy."

"End user piracy, particularly in the small and medium enterprises, is still the major threat for the software industry in Bulgaria. In addition to Internet and mobile piracy, the massive burning of copyrighted materials on CD- and DVDRs remains a key element of a landscape still dominated by piracy," the report said.

According to IIPA, the main reasons for continued high levels of piracy "are the prosecutors and the courts, who in practise consistently fail to treat copyright infringements as serious crimes. Unjustified delays permeate the process, and the whole system lacks transparency."

Other countries deserving special mention according to the IIPA were Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland.

According to the IIPA, copyright piracy was "a scourge which continues to cause an estimated $30 - $35 billion (20.6 - 24 billion euro) in annual losses to the U.S. copyright industries." These figures "exclude losses due to internet piracy," IIPA said.

February 13 2008, photo courtesy of: IIPA, source: www.sofiaecho.com

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Friday, November 21 2008

Expat of the Week

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What`s on in Bulgaria

Art

  • GONE WITH TIME
    What: Rada Tsankova has chosen this title for her solo exhibition because her paintings pose the following question: Are we the ones who go through time, or does time pass through us? It’s an eternal question and the discussion is intimate.
    When: Until November 20
    Where: Rakursi,4a Khan Kroum Str, Sofia
  • NEW YORK-BRUSSELS-SOFIA
    What: In Edmond Demirdjian's paintings the dynamics are evident as well as the unique rhythm of his colours that succeed in conveying the intensity of New York.
    When: Until November 28
    Where: Edmond Atelier,21 13-I March Str, Sofia

Live Music

  • HAGGARD and EXCITER in METAL MAYHEM
    What: For the first time in Bulgaria the symphonic thrash metal band from Germany, Haggard and the legendary Canadian outfit Exciter will hit the stage together. They will be joined by Remember Twilight and Balkanjii.
    When: November 20, 6pm
    Where: Blue Box club, Sofia
  • TEREN Music Parties
    What: Elements of Feelme Crew have been very active on the musical Tereni and there will be a lot more from them in the future. Teren (which translates into English as terrain) is Bulgarian slang for a house party.
    When: November 22, 10pm
    Where: Party Centre 4KM, Sofia
  • AL Di MEOLA QUARTET - NEW WORLD SINFONIA TOUR 2008
    What: The 2008 World Tour by guitar virtuoso Al Di Media and his quarter New World Sinfonia will culminate with two performances in Bulgaria.
    When: November 22 and 23
    Where: Plovdiv and Rousse
  • MIZIA: THE LISBON SONG (JAZZ)
    What: In her latest project, Susana Maria, aka Mizia, has returned to classical fado - the nostalgic, heartbreaking soulful sounds of the Portuguese capital’s dimmed and noisy taverns.
    When: November 29
    Where: Bulgaria Hall, Sofia