Step up computer piracy campaign - study

A new survey says Ireland must do more to stamp out software piracy.

The lobby group representing the commercial software sector says that this piracy is costing jobs and taxes.

A study found that a 10% cut in the use of pirate software here would create 2,400 jobs and generate €236m in tax revenue.

Although almost half the business software applications in use in Ireland in 2001 were illegal, the levels have been reducing.

This trend will be confirmed when the eight annual global software piracy results are released tomorrow.

The data is compiled by the Business Software Alliance, which represents the legitimate software sector including Microsoft and Apple.

The BSA warns that the level of piracy here is not only costing jobs and tax revenue but is also damaging Ireland's reputation as a legitimate business base.