Software piracy rate: a see-saw effect?

A software study regarding the rate of illegal software showed a slight drop in some Latin America countries but also showed a rise in others. The study sponsored by Business Software Alliance (BSA), illustrates that even though a change in user behaviour is seen, this is not enough. Losses due to software piracy in Latin America have increased, from $4,311 million in 2008 to $6,210 million in 2009. This is so, because while there is a decline in percentage, the local market has growth – greater access to technology.

Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia, El Salvador and Nicaragua appear on the list ‘top 30 Highest Piracy Rates in 2009’. The Latin America region is the third with the highest use of illegal software.

Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica are among the countries that have steadily decreased the rate of illegal software by more than 5% over the past five years (on the contrary, Venezuela has increased it by 5%).

The full report can be read here (in English – for a change!). You can also download the info by country - click here.

An early post covering only Mexico here.