ISLAMABAD – The federal board of revenue had been alleged by the USauthorities for using a pirated version of a software designated as Vmware.FBR is also advised to switch to a licensed version as soon as possible. Thesoftware is currently being used as Web-based One Customs or WeBOC ande-filling income tax returns.link
The query was highlighted during the meeting with Principal DeputyAssistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs AliceWells. The problems left many questioning the violation of Intellectualproperty rights at the government departments.
A senior official at FBR told Dawn: “We have conveyed to the US authoritiesvia proper channels that the software will be purchased for use in WeBOC.”
He also said a substitute software is available online and FBR had alreadydeleted the pirated software from the e-filing and income tax returnsplatform.
According to the official, a subsidiary of FBR designated as PakistanRevenue Automation Limited (PRAL) was requested to seek a quotation for theprocurement of software to be used for WeBOC.
Vmware is used for the provision of cloud computing and virtualizationservices and software. The desktop version of the software runs smoothly onLinux, Windows by Microsoft, and MacOs.
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FBR received a reminder regarding Intellectual Property Regulationviolation form the US Authorities quoting their condemn of using piratedversions of the software and to buy the license of the software ASAP.
Dawn received an official stamen on Monday stating that the software wasprovided by a vendor and it was embedded in various programs and theauthorities were unaware of the situation.
After being informed about the factual position, FBR requested its IT teamto come into action and initiate working on other options. FBR asked fortwo months’ time span from the US authorities for finding the solution tothis issue.
Source: Dawnlink
