The Russian pirates stole software for $3 billion

Level of use of the pirated software in Russia in 2010 was 65% that is 2 points lower, than in 2009. The commercial cost of the non-licensed software installed on personal computers in Russia in 2010 was about $3 billion. These researches of level of piracy 2010 Global Software Piracy Study which is carried out worldwide by Association of software makers (BSA) are like that.

Ekaterina Gromova, the chairman of the Russian committee of BSA, says that within the last six years of Russia annually it is possible to reduce the level of computer piracy that "demonstrates efficiency of the measures for protection of copyright taken in recent years".

Nevertheless, in the last two years rates of decrease in computer piracy in Russia decreased. According to her, for further reduction of level of computer piracy in the country it is necessary to provide performance of current laws on protection of intellectual property.

In addition to the research BSA together with partners (Ipsos Public Affairs) in 32 countries, including Russia, survey was conducted. Its results showed that 7 of 10 users support copyright of developers and agree to pay them for it. So in what then a problem?

It appears, a problem in local user mentality. More than a half of the Russian respondents perceive installation of software on several PC as legally admissible form of its use while in the license only one machine is stipulated. 59% of respondents consider it admissible at home use, 52% when using at work.

In general in the world the commercial cost of non-licensed providing, program in 2010, grew to record values in $59 billion that exceeds twice an indicator of 2003 when this research was conducted for the first time. Level of computer piracy in the world decreased on one point to 42%.

Among the countries of group of BRIC the highest level of computer piracy is recorded in China – 78%, Russia with an indicator in 65% while in India and Brazil it makes 64 and 54% respectively follows.

Emerging economies became the driving force of computer piracy. Piracy level in them is 2.5 times higher, than in the countries with developed economy, and the cost of the set piracy software is estimated at $31.9 billion that makes more than a half of world volume.