Software IP theft is a global problem, a solution to which could boost the fortunes of regional governments as well as the software industry it blights. Bill Lumley investigates.

2008 Issue

Software theft is a widely underrated global problem. An estimated $34 billion is lost each year in revenue through the use of unlicensed software. In the US, it is estimated that 21 percent of software use is unlicensed, while in Eastern Europe the figure is 68 percent. Yet many corporate users are unaware they are even breaking the law.
The economic rewards for both industry and government from reducing software theft are huge. In February this year, a report from the Business Software Alliance (BSA) measured the economic benefits of lowering the PC software piracy rate to local economies in terms of

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Bill Lumley examines the steps you can take to protect
your business from IP theft.

2008 Issue

IP theft is a massive problem. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, American businesses alone lose over $250 billion a year to copyright piracy, and intellectual prop erty theft costs 750,000 jobs.

There is a widespread view among business managers that the protection of IP is a luxury they can only afford when they are ready to do so, and it is among the first things they economise on, to a large extent through ignorance, rather like deciding not to invest in advertising or PR.

Maggie Ramage, partner at Alexander Ramage Associates and a member of the governing council of the UK Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA), argues strongly against any business taking such a stance. "There are no

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