BSA Unveils 2000 Global Software Piracy Study In New Zealand
Piracy rate falls from 31% to 28% Average Global Piracy Rate Increases to 37 Percent; Losses At $11.8 Billion;
Singapore - 4 June 2001 - The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a watchdog group representing the world's leading
software manufacturers, today announced the New Zealand results of its sixth annual benchmark survey on global software
piracy. The independent study highlights the serious impact of copyright infringement with piracy losses nearing $11.8
billion worldwide in 2000.
International Planning and Research Corp. (IPR), an independent research firm, conducted the survey for BSA. The
software piracy estimates indicate that one in every three business software applications worldwide was pirated in 2000.
The continuing software piracy problem signifies lost jobs, wages, tax revenues and a potential barrier to innovation
and product development around the world.
"Although the piracy rates in several regions and countries have decreased, software piracy continues to rob the global
marketplace of hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in wages and tax revenues," said Robert Holleyman, President
and CEO, Business Software Alliance. "In an effort to curb software piracy worldwide, BSA continues to implement
educational and enforcement activities and works with governments around the world in support our efforts to address the
software piracy problem."
The 2000 software piracy estimates indicate that more than one in every four business software applications in use
during 2000 was pirated. In New Zealand the piracy rate fell from 31% in 1999 to 28% in 2000. Despite this improved
result 1 in 4 copies of software used in New Zealand is stolen and there is much work that still needs to be done to
further reduce the incidence of software theft. The financial loss to industry as a result of software piracy is US$12.3
million.
"The fall in piracy rate is good news for New Zealand and shows the commitment of government, industry and the community
in maintaining New Zealand's place amongst developed nations as a healthy business environment to develop intellectual
property," said Jeffrey Hardee, BSA Vice President of Asia Pacific
"This reputation is a key building block for developing the knowledge economy in New Zealand. The BSA would like to
recognize the contribution of businesses and individuals who have made the effort to become fully compliant in the last
year and for moving New Zealand forward in the area of intellectual property protection," he said.
The 2000 world piracy rate did not decline for the first time in the study's history, but remained almost constant with
the 1999 rate, with a one percentage point increase to 37%. The dollar losses due to piracy declined 3.5% from 1999 from
$12.2 billion to just under $11.8 billion. North America, Asia/Pacific and Western Europe once again account for the
majority (87%) of revenue losses.
The 10 countries with the highest piracy rates are (in rank order): Top 10 Countries by Piracy Rate 1999
2000 Vietnam 98% 97% China 91% 94% Indonesia 85% 89%
Ukraine/Other CIS 90% 89% Russia 89% 88% Lebanon 88% 83% Pakistan 83%
83% Bolivia 85% 81% Qatar 80% 81% Bahrain 82% 80%
Regional Summaries -
Asia/Pacific: This region was the only area that increased its piracy rate in 2000, to 51%, from 47% in 1999. In
addition, Asia/Pacific accounted for the largest piracy losses at nearly $4.1 billion or 35%. Japan's piracy rate
increased to 37%, Korea increased to 56% and China increased to 94%. The countries with the highest piracy rates were
Vietnam (97%), China (94%) and Indonesia (89%). The countries with the highest dollar losses were Japan ($1.6 billion),
China ($1.1 billion) and Korea ($302 million).
Eastern Europe: In 2000, Eastern Europe continued to have the highest piracy rate at 63%, leading to a loss of nearly
$404 million. Russia and the Ukraine and other CIS countries continue to have the highest piracy rates in this region,
with 88% and 89% respectively. Poland, the third largest country in the region, reduced its piracy rate between 1999 and
2000 by six percentage points, to 54%.
Western Europe: At 34%, Western Europe continued to be the region with the second lowest piracy rate in 2000, but it
experienced the second highest dollar losses, hitting $3.1 billion. This amount accounts for 26% of the total global
losses due to software piracy. Western Europe was the region with the smallest change in its piracy rate from 1999. The
largest dollar losses due to software piracy occurred in Germany ($635 million), United Kingdom ($530 million) and
France ($480 million). The highest piracy rates were in Greece (66%), Spain (51%) and Italy (46%). This is the third
consecutive year Greece and Spain had the highest software piracy rates in Western Europe.
Latin America: While the Latin American region saw a decline in its piracy rate from 1999 to 2000, it became the second
highest region in 2000, with a piracy rate of 58%, ahead of the Middle East at 57%. Latin America piracy cost the
industry $870 million. The countries with the highest piracy rates were Bolivia (81%), El Salvador (79%) and Nicaragua
(78%). Once again, at 49%, Chile was the country with the lowest piracy rate in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico, the
two largest economies in the region, saw a constant piracy rate, with no change between 1999 and 2000. Their current
rates are 58% and 56%, respectively. Argentina, the third largest economy in the region, was also at 58%.
Middle East & Africa: In 2000, the Middle East and Africa had the third highest piracy rate at 55%. The countries with the highest
software piracy rates were Lebanon (83%), Qatar (81%) and both Bahrain and Kuwait (80%). Software piracy costs this
region $376 million. The three largest economies in the Middle East, Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia, each saw a decline
in the piracy rate last year. Turkey experienced the largest reduction in piracy, from 74% in 1999 to 63% in 2000.
Israel had the lowest piracy rate in the region (41%). Saudi Arabia's piracy rate declined from 64% in 1999 to 59% in
2000. Africa's piracy was 52%, down from 56% in 1999. A falling piracy rate with a strong economy indicates a
long-lasting decline in piracy and a more substantial change in software practices.
North America: The North American region continued to be the region with the lowest piracy rate at 25%. During the past
six years, the region's piracy rate has declined from 32% to 25%. In the 2000 study, North America accounted for the
third highest piracy losses totalling $2.9 billion. Asia/Pacific and Western Europe exceeded North America with losses
totalling more than $4.1 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. In 2000, the piracy rates in the United States declined
to 24%, and in Canada, the rate dropped three percentage points to 38%. During the past six years, the North American
piracy losses totalled more than $22 billion. In 2000, total losses due to software piracy in the United States were
more than $2.6 billion and nearly $305 million in Canada.
This is the sixth study conducted by International Planning & Research (IPR). This study evaluated sales data and market information for 85 countries in the six major world regions
and was based on 26 different business software applications. The study compares 2000 piracy rates and dollars lost to
software piracy to similar data gathered between 1994-1999.
The Business Software Alliance is the voice of the world's software and Internet industry before governments and with
consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA
educates computer users on software copyright; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade
opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA worldwide members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, CNC
Software/Mastercam, Macromedia, Microsoft, Symantec and UGS. BSA website: www.bsa.org.