Ghana Link, UNI-PASS Sued …Over Single Window Software Theft

West Blue Consulting, an IT Solution firm has sued Ghana Link Network Service, Customs UNI-PASS International Agency and Work Smart Limited over an apparent plagiarization of the Ghana National Single Window Software.

West Blue became aware in July 2018, that Ghana Link had copied its Pre-Arrival Assessment Reporting System (PAARS) and Risk Management System- modules of the Ghana Single Window System.

It became more evident when stakeholders at the port including members of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) raised the alarm when UNI-PASS demonstrated its supposedly new systems to them.

The stakeholders realized that the existing single window system belonging to the government of Ghana but being operated by West Blue is the same system that UNI-PASS has copied and being demonstrated to them as new system.

The features, designs and operations of the UNI-PASS’s system is said to be the same as the existing system. The website of the new system also has posters and artworks of the “achievement of paperless ports so far…” which was designed in early 2018 based on the works of the existing operators.

The social Media Link on the supposed new system redirects to West Blue’s social media handle.

The suspected cloned system is what has been sold back to the government of Ghana for $180 million through an intriguing 10-year sole sourced deal spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade headed by Alan Kyerematen.

West Blue also became more aware that Ghana Link was copying its application because UNIPASS’s system was not ready for January 1, 2019 takeover, so the copying was to allow Ghana Link to run West Blue’s system until UNI-PASS
system was ready.

Statement of Claim

West Blue Consulting (Plaintiff) in its statement of claim filed at an Accra High court on January 23, 2019 is asking for an order of perpetual injunction to restrain Ghana Link Network
Service, Customs UNI-PASS International Agency and Work Smart Limited (Defendants) whether by their Directors, officers, agents, servants or assigns whatsoever, from using the software they cloned from West Blue’s One view, Trade
Hub and PAARS system in 2018 and purporting to use as a component of their Ghana Trade Portal and UNIPASS system.

West Blue further prayed for damages against defendants for infringing its copyright in PAARS by cloning the software in
2018 without authorization.

MORE DETAILS SOON

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