Microsoft, Iraqi firm join forces

Microsoft, Iraqi firm join forces

BAGHDAD - The Associated Press
Microsoft says it has appointed a local company to distribute its products in Iraq in what it says is a sign of growth for the war-plagued country. Rajai S. El-Khadem, manager of business development for emerging markets, said yesterday that the software giant had chosen the Baghdad-based Legend Lands as its Iraqi partner.

El-Khadem called on Iraq’s government to approve laws protecting intellectual property and usage of software. Decades of war and U.N. sanctions have created technology shortages in Iraq and the government’s limited supervision has left the market overwhelmed with illegal software products.