Reducing piracyby 10% could boost the
UK economy by £4.5bn, a study from analyst house IDC has
estimated.
Business Software Alliance (BSA), which commissioned the study,
is campaigning for the government to create a stronger deterrent
environment by strengthening IP damages law in the UK.
The study also found that a
reduction in PC software piracy by 10 percentage points over four
years (currently standing at 27%), could create a stronger local IT
sector, generate 13,220 new high paying jobs and £1.08bn in tax
revenues.
John Gantz, chief research officer at IDC, said, "Policy makers
should find a compelling case for taking steps to reduce software
piracy in order to reap the economic benefits of a strong national
software and IT sector. It is clear that reducing software piracy
delivers real results that help real people with real
challenges."
"When countries take bold steps to reduce software piracy,
everyone stands to benefit," said Julie Strawson, chair of the BSA
UK member committee.