Piracy Rate in Central Europe Hits 68%
BBC reports that more than one-third of business software used by companies around the world is pirated. According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a well known proponent of anti-piracy campaigns, 35% of the programs used by companies are unlicensed. The BSA added that this figure remained unchanged since 2003. The BBC report gave a rundown of the piracy rates around the world:
- Asia - 55%
- Central Europe - 68%
- Latin America - 66%
- Middle East/Africa - 60%
- North America - 22%
- Western Europe - 36%
The BSA pointed out that governments should intervene to help bring down the piracy rates. They cited that China was able to do it in only 3 years, from 92% to 82%. They further added that a strong commitment from the Chinese government to use licensed software as well as tougher regulations to companies had helped bring down the piracy rate significantly. In addition to tougher regulations, the BSA also suggested that governments could reward firms that use licensed software by giving them tax incentives.
It’s good to know that the BSA’s advocacy is aimed towards a better and a more favorable future for companies. However, it’s also worth mentioning that one notable hindrance to this campaign is the price that software manufacturers put in their software. It’s a sad fact that 1 US dollar isn’t 1 in some other currency. One reason why firms choose to dwell in the shadows for some time is because they think that the price of a particular software is just too ridiculous for its use. It takes them a whole lot of effort to recover their investment if they were to purchase a license for a particular software. For poorer countries, the price of software is a premium and when everyone is trying to survive in whatever way they can, alternative means is always an option.
It should be better if the incentives come from the software manufacturers themselves. As a software manufacturer, it’s not good enough that you offer the best support or an unlimited number of updates to those who purchased your software legally. As mentioned, alternative means is always an option. It would be best if you sell your software at a much reasonable price, not at a premium. Generally, the incentives that the software manufacturers currently offer are I think, unattractive.
Hmmm… now I’m wondering why Microsoft had offered that $3 Windows XP and Office suites to governments only now when it could have done it earlier. 6 years since its launch, Windows XP has surely recovered its investments long before, don’t you think?
Wherever we are in the world, whether it be in Central Europe, Asia, Africa or Latin America, piracy rate is a concern. Yes, political will is also a concern. Ultimately, it’s a question of purpose. Why did you create and sell your software in the first place? Is it to help simplify the task? Or is it for you to get rich? If you answered both, then goodluck to your future.
May 16th, 2007 at 9:33
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July 23rd, 2009 at 18:09
Hmm,ya,it seems to me also that piracy rate is a concern…its getting tougher for some companies to cope up with it…People who are involved in doing mcse may have more information about it!Governments should also take stronger action against those who are involved in it.Companies also have to make different startegies,there is a need of training i guess to train people,rcdd may also can be useful to get knowledge…Well thx for ur informative post!
August 6th, 2009 at 1:33
It should be better if the incentives come from the software manufacturers themselves. As a software manufacturer, it’s not good enough that you offer the best support or an unlimited number of updates to those who purchased your software legally. As mentioned, alternative means is always an option.