On 28th April, Lord Sainsbury said, in answer to a written question that, as the UK has the world’s best compliance rate for business software licensing, existing measures to support it are therefore sufficient.
The question was based on a recent study by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) that suggests reductions in software piracy can lead to improved national economic performance.
However, FAST argues that that a high level of under-licensing still exists in the UK. A recent study conducted by the organisation shows that an estimated 40% of software use in the UK was pirated and that 50% of businesses said they would currently find it difficult to prove their compliance.
Paul Brennan, general counsel at FAST, commented:
"In addition to FAST's findings, the BSA study shows that the software industry loses approximately 25% of its income through software piracy. This is clearly unacceptable - it is like BMW or Ford giving away 25% of their cars each year, or the government giving away a quarter of its vehicle excise income in unlicensed cars."
He continued:
"Far from being a time for complacency, now is the moment to act. FAST members, as well as the industry as a whole, need political support to help reduce this severe loss of income so they are able to develop new innovative software free from the fear of carrying an unnecessary financial burden."