Smuggling of pirated software from Syria has completely stopped since the beginning of this year due to the ongoing developments in the country, according to the National Library Department (NLD).
The quantity of pirated items for sale in local markets around the Kingdom has also dropped significantly because smuggling from Syria has come to a complete halt, NLD Director General Mohammad Abbadi said in a recent interview with The Jordan Times.
"In light of the ongoing violence in Syria, there is no smuggling at all. The majority of the pirated items sold in local markets came from Syria," Abbadi said.
He added that the NLD will intensify its inspection campaign during the next few weeks as it received information that some Syrians who produce and sell pirated items are in the process of moving their businesses to Jordan.
"Syrians who deal in pirated items are very good at preparing and packaging them, to the extent that one would think they are genuine," Abbadi noted.
"We will intensify our raids on some locations across the country where Syrians reportedly moved their operations," he added.
According to Abbadi, pirated Play Station games were the most commonly smuggled items from Syria in 2012, followed by DVDs, video CDs, music and software.
The Jordanian Copyright Law stipulates that it is a crime to download software, music or movies that are protected under the legislation.
Offenders face a prison sentence of between three months and three years and a fine ranging from JD1,000 to JD6,000.
Should Jordan try to crack down on the pirate DVD market? What other effects have the Syrian war had on the region? Share your thoughts with us below.
