Pirated PC Software Weakens High Tech Sector and Cyber Security

New study reveals extent of PC software piracy worldwide Washington, D.C. - Governments and soft...  More »

New study reveals extent of PC software piracy worldwide Washington, D.C. - Governments and software companies are making progress in slowing the illegal use of personal computer (PC) software products, but progress has stalled in the United States, posing serious challenges to the US-led software industry in today's weak economy. These are among the findings of the Sixth Annual BSA-IDC Global Software Piracy Study released today by the Business Software Alliance (BSA). "We are continuing to make progress against PC software piracy in many countries, which helps people working in the US-led global software industry. That's the good news," said BSA President and CEO Robert Holleyman. "The bad news is that PC software piracy remains so prevalent in the United States and all over the world. It undermines local IT service firms, gives illegal software users an unfair advantage in business, and spreads security risks." Among the study's key findings: * In 2008, the rate of PC software piracy dropped in about half (57) of the countries studied, remained the same in about a third (36), and rose in just 16. * The worldwide PC software piracy rate rose from 38 percent to 41 percent because PC shipments grew fastest in high-piracy countries such as China and India. The dollar value of pirated software rose by 11 percent to $53 billion. * High piracy means fewer jobs in software development and IT services, and creates cyber security risks. * Lowering global piracy by just one point a year would add $20 billion in stimulus to the IT industry. * The highest-piracy regions are Central/Eastern Europe (67 percent) and Latin America (65 percent). The lowest regions are North America (21 percent) and the European Union (35 percent). Produced for the Business Software Alliance (BSA)  « Less