SOFTWARE PIRACY ON THE RISE
By Adnews Staff
Software companies continued to lose money due to software piracy throughout 1997, according to a study done by the Business Software Alliance and the Software Publishers Association. Worldwide revenue losses reached $11.4 billion(US), a reversal of the 16% decrease in estimated losses between 1995 and 1996 that were mainly attributed to lower software prices. North America, Asia and Western Europe account for 84% of the losses with the U.S. leading the way. The country was followed by China, Japan, Korea, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Canada and the United Kingdom. Although Eastern Europe's dollar losses are relatively low compared to other regions, it still has the highest piracy rate. Nearly eight out of 10 programs were pirated in 1997. The worldwide average is four out of 10. North America accounted for 27% of worldwide revenue losses, losing $3.1 billion. The U.S. was responsible for the majority of the loss, which was $2.7 billion in the U.S. alone. The Business Software Alliance was formed in 1988 to advocate for software developers before governments and with consumers. It educates computer users on software copyrights, advocates public policy, expands trade opportunities and fights software piracy.