Software piracy study estimates losses worth close to $8 bn in 2004

54% of the software installed on PCs in the Asia Pacific was pirated in 2004,
the same level as in 2003. However, losses due to software piracy increased from
US $7.5 billion to almost US$8 billion.

These are among key findings of a global software piracy study released by
the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an international association of the world's
leading software developers. The independent study, which indicates that
software piracy continues to be a major challenge worldwide, was conducted by
IDC.

"Worldwide, one out of every three copies of software in use today has
been obtained illegally," said BSA President and CEO, Robert Holleyman.
"These losses have a profound economic impact in countries around the
world. Every copy of software used without proper licensing costs tax revenue,
jobs and growth opportunities for burgeoning software markets."

Countries With Highest Piracy Rate Vietnam (92%) Ukraine (91%) China (90%) Zimbabwe (90%) Indonesia (87%)   Countries With Lowest Piracy Rate United States (21%) New Zealand (23%) Austria (25%) Sweden (26%) United Kingdom (27%)

In 2004, the world spent more than $59 billion on commercial packaged PC
software, up from $51 billion in 2003. However, over $90 billion was actually
installed, up from $80 billion the year before.

Launching the Study in Singapore, Jeffrey Hardee, Vice President and Regional
Director, Asia, said, "Software piracy remains a major concern for Asia
Pacific countries. While many governments have taken steps to better protect
intellectual property rights, much remains to be done in order for there to be
substantial reduction in software piracy levels."

The study finds that software piracy rates in Asia Pacific range from a high
of 92% in Vietnam to a low of 23% in New Zealand. The Asia Pacific region has
the fourth highest average piracy rate and three of the world's top five
pirating countries are in the region.

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