Commerce, Science and Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell (left) exchanges documents with Microsoft West Indies' general manager Rick Marcet during yesterday's contract-signing. The $222-million agreement gives the Jamaican Government the right to use the US-based company's operating system in select ministries over the next three years. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

THE government yesterday signed an agreement with software giant Microsoft that will see Jamaica paying more than $222 million (US$3.7M) over the next three years for the right to use the US-based company's operating system in select ministries.

While acknowledging that there may have been breaches of the company's intellectual property rights in the past, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology Phillip Paulwell emphasised that the agreement was in no way compensation for these past infringements.

"Let me stress that by signing this enterprise agreement, the government is not compensating Microsoft in any way for any alleged past breaches of its intellectual property rights,"
Paulwell said at his Trafalgar Road office during the signing ceremony. "We recognise that in the past some breaches might have occurred; however, the GOJ does not condone such breaches and, on the contrary, is rigorously promoting an Intellectual Property Rights-aware environment and intends to be a model in this regard."

Microsoft West Indies' general manager Rick Marcet said the agreement was symbolic of the government's leadership role in the protection of intellectual property rights.

"By entering into this agreement, Microsoft and the GOJ formally recognise the ongoing engagements with several ministries and agencies over the past four years, where Microsoft products and technologies were adopted and implemented to provide productivity platforms, departmental and line-of-business applications and infrastructure solutions," he said.

According to Paulwell, the $222-million contract covers more than 6,000 computers within the public sector. It will allow for automatic programme upgrades and public sector employees will now have access to Microsoft products at home. The package, the minister said, would actually save the country money.

"It will cost the public sector less for the specified Microsoft software already in use since the government will benefit from the economies of scale and economies of scope reflected in the level of discount that Microsoft has agreed to," Paulwell explained.

The agreement, he added, would ensure compliance with Microsoft licences across the public sector and as part of the deal, Microsoft would provide US$374,400 in technical support over the three years.

Microsoft will provide technical training, valued at US$100,000 per annum, to information technology managers and network administrators and provide consulting services to assist the government's Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plan. This component of the deal is valued at $74,400 over the three years.

The software giant is also expected to invest US$150,000 in a training facility to be established by the ministry. This will provide training for citizens in the general use of computers and software in areas that apply to interaction with government.

"The enterprise agreement. will, in turn, promote greater use of computers by our citizens as they log on to Government of Jamaica services and will help Jamaica become a more ICT-literate society," Paulwell said

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