More than one quarter of all the software used in the UK is illegal and industry losses due to software piracy in the UK amounted to £1.49 billion in 2008 – the highest level ever, according to a new report by global market research company, IDC.
That news has promoted a defiant response from The Business Software Alliance (BSA), the industry body dedicated to stamping out illegal software use. It has upped the ante in its fight against software pirates, promising increased legal action as it seeks to win back lost revenues for its members.
“With more than one in four software installations categorised as illegal in the UK, we cannot afford to give up the fight against software piracy,” said Alyna Cope, spokesperson for the BSA UK country committee. “Much more needs to be done by the industry and the government to warn businesses and consumers of the risks associated with under-licensed software, from a legal, financial and operational point of view.”
Demonstrating its commitment to bringing software pirates to justice, the BSA says that in the first few months of 2009, the value of legal settlements it has achieved on behalf of its members in the UK has risen by 25 times compared to the same period in 2008.
IDC's study covered piracy of all packaged software that run on personal computers, including desktops, laptops, and ultra-portables. BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Cisco Systems, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Intuit, McAfee, Microsoft, SAP and Symantec.