The Business Software Alliance antipiracy organization, with members including Microsoft, Adobe Systems, and Cisco Systems, is planning to release a study suggesting that increasing copy protections could generate jobs and tax revenue:
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The BSA said that reducing software piracy could speed the growth of the IT industry, which in turn could create jobs and bolster weak economies. The study, which examined 57 countries, also predicted that a 10-point reduction in the rate of piracy over four years could generate 1.5 million jobs and billion taxes worldwide, and double the IT sector in countries such as Russia. The report said the resulting taxes could then be used to fund education, health care and law enforcement. |
The study, commissioned by the BSA and conducted by IDC, found that in general, nations with the lowest piracy rates had the largest IT sectors, as measured as a share of the countries' gross domestic product(GDP). Conversely, countries with high piracy rates, such as China and Russia, had the smallest IT sectors. In the report the BSA suggests that governments and companies should educate the public about legal software use, adopt stronger laws and should crack down on organized crime syndicates.
Source: C|Net News.com
