The use of pirated software in Israel resulted in financial damage of $72.5 million, 15% higher than 1998, BSA (Business Software Alliance) said in its annual report yesterday. BSA is fights software piracy around the world. 36% of software currently in use is pirated, and its value if estimated at more than $12 billion.
The proportion of pirated software in Israel fell 4% to 44% in 1999. However, due to the expansion of the high-tech and software industries in Israel, the number of persons using pirated software has increased.
Israel is not among the 25 countries topping the software piracy list. The leaders are Vietnam (where the proportion of pirated software is 98%), China (91%) and CIS countries other than Russia (90%).
The regional breakdown ranks Eastern Europe first (70%), and the Middle East second (60%). The gravest financial damage was posted in Western Europe and North America, due to widespread use of software.
BAS representative in Israel Ami Fleischer said that the high piracy rates in Israel are not befitting its status as a Western country with globe-spanning high-tech operations. He added that the Israeli market should get into line with other Western economies, such as the US and Britain, where the piracy rate is only 25%.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 25 May, 2000