I continue to work hard to foster a climate in New Hampshire that supports high-tech businesses. An estimated one in every four software programs loaded in the United States in 1998 was an illegal copy. Gov. Shaheen issued the executive order today at Managed Ops. New Hampshire has the highest concentration of high-technology workers in the nation and has over 1,000 software companies. As a major customer, Gov. Shaheen said, state government should be exemplary in its own practices as a purchaser and user of computer software.
Software piracy steals hard-earned revenues away from innovative companies.
It stifles innovation. The new economy is about ideas, information and innovation. We must protect the intellectual property rights of the companies that are leading the way in building our new economy. Directs the Department of Administrative Services to develop appropriate language for inclusion in state contracts to prohibit the use of state funds for the acquisition, operation or maintenance of computer software in violation of copyright laws. Such language will be included in all state contracts that involve the purchase or use of computer software to perform the contract.