Nearly half the world's personal computer users or 47 percent acquire software through illegal means and in developing economies the figures are much higher, says Business Software Alliance (BSA).

The leading global advocate for the software industry today released detailed findings from the groundbreaking study conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on approximately 15,000 PC users in 32 countries.

Of the 32 countries surveyed, nine were in the Asia-Pacific region and among them are China (no 1 ranking), Vietnam (3), Malaysia (5), Thailand (6), Indonesia (7) and South Korea (10) were found to have individual piracy rates ranking among the top 10 of all countries surveyed [see chart below].

US$59bil worth of software ‘stolen’

The study found that large majorities of computer users in the developing world regularly acquired software through illegal means - such as buying a single licence for a programme and then installing it on multiple machines, or downloading programmes from peer-to-peer networks - even though they expressed support for intellectual property principles.
   
"It took hundreds of millions of thieves to steal US$59 billion worth of software last year. Now we have a better understanding of what they were thinking.

"The evidence is clear, the way to lower software piracy is by educating businesses and individuals about what is legal and ramping up enforcement of intellectual property laws to send clearer deterent signals to the marketplace," said BSA president and chief executive officer Robert Holleyman when releasing the report today.

- Bernama

 

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