Software piracy declines in Ireland

PIRACY of software on personal computers in Ireland fell 2% from 2006 to 2007, from 36% to 34%, amid a global trend in which piracy rates dropped in most countries.

Industry losses due to software piracy in Ireland rose slightly to $106m (€68m) in 2007 from a figure of $92m in 2006.

These are among the findings of the fifth global PC software piracy study released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

“This report shows that we are making progress in Ireland in the battle against software piracy,” said BSA Ireland Aileen Eglington. “Reducing piracy further would deliver significant benefits for local consumers, local software and services firms, small businesses, and the society at large.”