BSA: Software piracy hits all-time high

According to a new study from the BSA (Business Software Alliance), worldwide software piracy hit an all-time high in 2010, up to $59 billion worth.

That number was 14 percent higher than 2009 and 95 percent higher than 2003.

Says the group (via Cnet):

The software industry is being robbed blind. Nearly $59 billion worth of products were stolen last year--and the rates of theft are completely out of control in the world's fastest-growing markets.

The BSA has members from the software industry including all heavy hitters like Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec and McAfee.

As has been the trend for years, "emerging markets" accounted for most of the piracy, $32 billion worth in 2010.

Piracy rates jumped to 64 percent in Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The Asian-Pacific region jumped to 60 percent, as well.

North America has the lowest piracy rate, again, at 21 percent.

The report does bring up an interesting fact, claiming that the most common form of piracy is a family who buys a single software license than installs it in all the computers in the home.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 May 2011 11:09

lissenup0

What bullsh*t!!!

Gimme the facts, numbers, stats, rhymes and reasons behind the mindset of the people that actually have the balls to declare this.

Arbitrary at best MoFos

12.5.2011 11:29 #1

scorpNZ

There is none,the facts are real simple pluck a figure out of thin air it works for the RIAA,the FBI have already proven that (short story/ fbi investigated claims made by riaa & found no evidence to support them & the amount they reckoned they were losing).Unfortunately keep singing the same tune long enough the politicians will believe it

12.5.2011 13:45 #2

elbald90

"The report does bring up an interesting fact, claiming that the most common form of piracy is a family who buys a single software license than installs it in all the computers in the home. "

the license scam , this has nothing to do with piracy its all about greed

12.5.2011 17:01 #3

ROMaster2

Yet more made up numbers.

In a PROPER capitalistic society, the correct solution for company to prevent piracy would to have a whole lot better security on the products (usually DRM), rather than whine to the government how their failed business model isn't working and want to force people to pay them anyways.

On another note, I did find it entertaining how North America has the lowest piracy (according to their numbers).

12.5.2011 21:03 #4

bsafailz (unverified)

Originally posted by ROMaster2: Yet more made up numbers.

In a PROPER capitalistic society, the correct solution for company to prevent piracy would to have a whole lot better security on the products (usually DRM), rather than whine to the government how their failed business model isn't working and want to force people to pay them anyways.

On another note, I did find it entertaining how North America has the lowest piracy (according to their numbers).
Americans and Canadians can actually afford the massive price gouging of most software...asia/latin america/russia cannot

12.5.2011 21:31 #5

bogwart16

Originally posted by bsafailz:
Americans and Canadians can actually afford the massive price gouging of most software...asia/latin america/russia cannot
Remind me again what planet you are from?

13.5.2011 09:17 #6

ROMaster2

Originally posted by bogwart16: Remind me again what planet you are from?
I think he's comparing the average income. IIRC they price gouge you to death in South Africa for most software, and they expect people to pay for it. Mainly it's caused by lack of competition, but the world wide web has brought competition TO the world.

13.5.2011 09:20 #7

bogwart16

I'm sure you're right, but I was surprised at the lofty tone as if Americans were still all hunky-dory instead of going down the crapper. When you have a million people queuing up at Mickey D's for a job paying $8.89 an hour you know there's something not quite right.

It's a source of great annoyance here (UK) that we have to pay the same in GBP as Americans do in USD for the same product. And in some countries in Europe they have import tariffs you wouldn't believe - up to 100% extra for a car in parts of Scandinavia. The same applies in Hong Kong which is why the Chinese copy so much overpriced stuff.

The US wanted a global market - you need to be careful what you ask for.

13.5.2011 09:31 #8

DVDBack23

Originally posted by bogwart16: I'm sure you're right, but I was surprised at the lofty tone as if Americans were still all hunky-dory instead of going down the crapper. When you have a million people queuing up at Mickey D's for a job paying $8.89 an hour you know there's something not quite right.

It's a source of great annoyance here (UK) that we have to pay the same in GBP as Americans do in USD for the same product. And in some countries in Europe they have import tariffs you wouldn't believe - up to 100% extra for a car in parts of Scandinavia. The same applies in Hong Kong which is why the Chinese copy so much overpriced stuff.

The US wanted a global market - you need to be careful what you ask for. Yeah, think he was referencing average income, in which the poster would have a point. It may seem "terrible" to have a McDonalds job for $8 here in America, but citizens of other nations would die for that kind of pay and $8 goes a lot farther elsewhere than it does here.

You all in the UK get ripped off completely on electronics, the pound may be weak in recent times but there is still no reason a $500 device should cost you guys �500 with or without VAT.

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13.5.2011 10:04 #9

casurratt

Just like pretty much every other issue in the world; if money didn't exist, everything would continue to run and nothing would go wrong. Except for, maybe, the U.S. government having no leverage over anyone anymore.

13.5.2011 13:12 #10

xboxdvl2

maybe (just maybe) the rise in piracy has something to do with increased internet speeds,cheaper fee through an isp (and better deals)& also torrents sites have become more popular.

married to my car and computer.both of them have problems.

13.5.2011 13:42 #11

ROMaster2

Originally posted by casurratt: if money didn't exist, everything would continue to run and nothing would go wrong.
Except the economy would evaporate and you would have riots across the world for food. People rarely give things out just for free without SOMETHING in return for it. Money, or currency, is meant as a medium of exchange, so you don't have to traded with direct services.
It's only feasible to not require a currency, and only in theory, if the world was in a techno-utopia with all necessities in life infinite with supply. You need a currency somewhere, otherwise there would be chaos for products and services.

13.5.2011 20:33 #12

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