Piracy rate drops to 50%
Contrary to the world trend, Brazilians are using less pirated computer programs. This is what the latest global survey by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) organization on the use of unlicensed programs by users and companies indicates. Conducted biennially and comparing more than one hundred countries, the survey shows that the rate of illegal software installed on PCs in Brazil was 50% in 2013.
The rate is considered high, but it is three percentage points lower than in 2011 and confirms a downward trend recorded since 2007. Globally, software piracy rose from 42% to 43%.
The Brazilian rate is unprecedented for the country, which also has the lowest rate among the BRICS nations — an acronym that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and Latin America, and follows a historical downward trend: since Since 2007, software piracy has been reduced here at an average rate of three percentage points every two years.
Despite the result, only 38% of Brazilian companies have policies that require the use of legal software — an average slightly higher than the world average of 35%.
For Frank Caramuru, director of BSA in Brazil, the Brazilian drop is relevant and the result of the growing awareness of users regarding the issue. However, it is possible to improve even further.
— Since 2007 there has been a reduction of almost ten percentage points in the Brazilian rate. Undoubtedly, there was an improvement in the Brazilian perception of the subject, but it still needs to gain strength in the practice of common users and companies.
President of the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (Abes), Jorge Sukarie believes that the offer of digital services at more affordable prices and plans has also contributed to the reduction of digital piracy:
— With cloud-based services, they became cheaper and more accessible — says Sukarie.
According to the BSA report, the losses resulting from the use of illegal software reached US$ 62.7 billion worldwide – in Brazil, the figure was US$ 2.8 billion. The region with the highest rate of pirated programs remains Asia Pacific with 62%. Following are Central and Eastern Europe (61%), Latin America (59%), and Middle East and Africa (also with 59%). North America remains the one that makes the least use of these software (19%).
In addition to the financial losses, Jorge Sukarie reinforces other negative consequences of pirated programs for society:
— Fewer taxes are collected and fewer jobs are created. And the illegal software market often finances organized crime.
Despite the global increase in the use of pirated software, the survey indicates greater awareness of the dangers of such software: 64% of respondents associated their use with hacking attacks, and 59% mentioned the possibility of data theft.
The risks are attested by Mariano Sumrell, marketing director at antivirus maker AVG Brasil:
— Pirate programs tend to accompany viruses that facilitate hacker intrusions and information theft. Also, when using these software, users do not have access to security updates.
Source: The Globe
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