May 15, 2007 at 17:56Software piracy cost businesses $ 40 billion in 2006
The fifth annual report from research conducted on the extent of piracy by the BSA software producer alliance was formally presented on Tuesday. As usual, the report contains a number of flashy numbers. Globally, in 2006 illegal software occupied 35% of the market. Its share has not changed much since 2005. Damage to the software business as a result amounted to about $ 40 billion.
Despite the continuing alarming picture for intellectual property owners, the BSA also saw some positive trends. In particular, this applies to the markets of the most problematic countries. For example, in China over the past three years, the level of piracy has decreased by 10%, and in Russia - by 7%.
The countries of Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Latin America, which today show the highest growth rates in sales of computer equipment in general, bring extremely little profit to the creators of the programs. In fact, two out of three PCs in these countries run counterfeit software. In a number of states of this vast region, pirates have even strengthened their positions.
Statistics for the US and Western Europe, however, should be rated as even more worrying. Although Jolly Roger flies here only over every fifth and every third computer, respectively, it was not possible to reduce its sphere of influence over the year. If millions of capitals of advertising campaigns against piracy could not help convey the idea of the inadmissibility of theft of the products of labor of programmers even to residents of the “golden billion” countries, where property rights are traditionally highly valued, then what can we say about the nations that are less scrupulous in this matter.
The BSA advises that the BSA recommends a strategy of action to eradicate piracy on its own strengths and, at the same time, actively incite government agencies to cooperate.
via iTWire
Despite the continuing alarming picture for intellectual property owners, the BSA also saw some positive trends. In particular, this applies to the markets of the most problematic countries. For example, in China over the past three years, the level of piracy has decreased by 10%, and in Russia - by 7%.
The countries of Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Latin America, which today show the highest growth rates in sales of computer equipment in general, bring extremely little profit to the creators of the programs. In fact, two out of three PCs in these countries run counterfeit software. In a number of states of this vast region, pirates have even strengthened their positions.
Statistics for the US and Western Europe, however, should be rated as even more worrying. Although Jolly Roger flies here only over every fifth and every third computer, respectively, it was not possible to reduce its sphere of influence over the year. If millions of capitals of advertising campaigns against piracy could not help convey the idea of the inadmissibility of theft of the products of labor of programmers even to residents of the “golden billion” countries, where property rights are traditionally highly valued, then what can we say about the nations that are less scrupulous in this matter.
The BSA advises that the BSA recommends a strategy of action to eradicate piracy on its own strengths and, at the same time, actively incite government agencies to cooperate.
via iTWire