MICROSOFT INCREASES SALES OF ITS PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Aug 23, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian IT company Bi Line
started distribution of Microsoft software a year ago. Hayk Khanjyan,
Bi Line’s president, told NT correspondent that over the past few
months, as many software packages have been sold a month as in the
first six months.

He said that a year ago 90-98% of Microsoft software packages used
in Armenia were pirate ones. Now this index has declined by at least
5% thanks to Bi Line’s efforts and the fact Microsoft RA company,
Microsoft’s representative, opened in Yerevan a year ago. Measures
to promote the use of licensed Microsoft software are being taken
both at private organizations and state government structures.

H. Khanjyn expressed satisfaction over the fact that sales of Microsoft
software are increasing thanks to explanatory work rather than due
to compulsion. "If we consider Armenia a country which will have its
say in the IT sector, particularly in the field of programming, and
if we want our software to be sold, in this case we have to purchase
licensed software of others and respect their copyright," he noted.