The value of PC software theft in Pakistan stood at $217 million in 2010. This was announced by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an international association representing the global software industry. It said that from 2009 to 2010, installation of unlicensed software on personal computers (PCs) in Pakistan remained constant at 84 percent, putting Pakistan in 15th place among the countries with the highest piracy rates. However, the commercial value of illegal software being used amounted to $217 million, the highest level since 2006. “The findings show that there is still much more work to be done to combat software piracy in Pakistan”, said BSA Spokesperson for Pakistan Salman Siddiqui.
“The results reinforce the need to educate users that software downloaded from P2P networks is often illegal, and installing software purchased for one computer on multiple PCs at home or the office is piracy”, it was further stated. The results also highlight the need for the authorities to take leadership in enforcement of IPR laws so that a healthy IT eco-system can be promoted. The BSA statement underlined that the study is conducted in cooperation with market research firm, IDC, and incorporates 182 discrete data inputs for 116 countries and regions around the world.
