Reducing software piracy over the next four years in South Africa could create a stronger local IT sector, generate new high-paying jobs and contribute to the country’s economy, according to a new study released on Tuesday by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
”When countries take steps to reduce software piracy, everyone stands to benefit,” said Alastair de Wet, chairperson of the BSA in South Africa.
The study, commissioned by the BSA and conducted independently by International Data Corporation (IDC), noted that the IT industry was already a major contributor to jobs, tax revenues and South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The study predicted that the South African IT industry would deliver 99 000 jobs, R84-billion in economic growth and over R30-billion in tax revenues by 2011.
Reducing South Africa’s 35% software piracy rate by 10 percentage points would have a ”multiplier effect” and increase those economic benefits, generating 1 200 additional jobs, R480-million in tax revenues and R6-billion in spending in the local IT sector over the next four years, according to the study.
The research found that for every R1 spent on legitimate packaged software, an additional R1,25 is spent on related services such as installing the software, training personnel and providing maintenance services.
”Most of these benefits accrue to locally based software services and channel firms — meaning the greatest proportion of the economic benefits from lowering software piracy stay within the country,” the BSA said.
IDC research released by BSA in May 2007 estimated that 35% of PC software installed on personal computers (PC) in South Africa in 2006 was unlicensed.
”BSA spends much of its efforts building awareness among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) about the risks and legal consequences of using unlicensed PC software.
”Reducing PC software piracy is important for business owners and SMEs in order to reduce the legal and business risks of using unlicensed software,” said John Gantz, chief research officer at IDC.
”But software is unique in its ability to drive value throughout other sectors. Thus, policymakers should find a compelling case for taking steps to reduce software piracy in order to reap the economic benefits of a strong national software and IT sector.”
BSA encouraged governments that wanted to enjoy the economic benefits of reducing software piracy to take the following steps:
- 1. Update national copyright laws to implement World Intellectual Property Organisation obligations;
- 2. Create strong enforcement mechanisms, as required by the World Trade Organisation, including tough anti-piracy laws;
- 3. Dedicate significant government resources to the problem, including national IP enforcement units, cross-border cooperation and more training for local officers;
- 4. Improve public education and awareness; and
- 5. Lead by example by requiring the public sector to use only legitimate software. — Sapa