Piracy rates across Western Europe increased 3% on last year,
and currently stand at 37% equating to revenue losses of $2.7
billion for the software industry. The largest increases in Europe
were seen in France and Germany where piracy rates increased from
40% to 46% and 28% to 34% respectively.
Western Europe has the second lowest piracy rate globally after
North America, but still accounts for 25% of dollar losses.
Beth Scott, vice president of BSA Europe said:
"Software piracy continues to present an
alarming problem to the economies of Western Europe, robbing them
of jobs, VAT and tax revenues in every country.
"We urge the European Union to take bold
measures in its forthcoming Enforcement Directive to combat the
escalating problem of piracy in Europe through tougher
legislation."
The independent study conducted by IPR and released today,
highlights the damaging impact of unlicensed software use on
economies in 85 countries. The worldwide dollar losses due to
piracy dropped nearly one billion dollars from $11.75 billion in
2000 to $10.97 billion in 2001.
The reduction in dollar losses can be attributed to a strong US
dollar, decline in software prices making the benefits of original
software more compelling against the risks of software piracy and
the effects of a worldwide economic slowdown. Western Europe, North
America and Asia/Pacific once again accounted for the majority
(85%) of revenue losses.
The BSA’s 10-page piracy
study, 10th June 2002.
