The rates of people using unlicensed software on their PC s in East and Southern Africa has declined with the commercial value decreasing from $672 million in 2011 to $540 million in 2013, but Kenya is still recording a rate of 78 percent in 2013, with its commercial value as at last year totaling $128 million.
A 2013 Global Software Survey released by BSA | The Software Alliance (BSA) also revealed that Botswana declined one point to 79 percent; Zimbabwe declined one point to 91 percent; Zambia declined one point to 81 percent; and South Africa declined one point to 34 percent and in the Middle East and Africa the commercial value of unlicensed software was $4.3 billion in 2013.
The survey reported that computer users cite the risk of security threats from malware as the top reason to avoid unlicensed software. Among their specific concerns are intrusions by hackers and loss of data. Yet in the enterprise, only 35 percent of companies globally have written policies in place requiring use of properly licensed software.
“While unlicensed software use has declined slightly, rates are still too high and detrimental to economic growth,” said Marius Haman, Corporate Attorney, and Digital Crimes Unit at Microsoft, one of BSA’s member companies. “Reducing unlicensed software use will help to stimulate the economy, enhance businesses productivity and better avoid security risks. Security is especially important in light of the growing threat of cybercrime.”
One of the alarming trends revealed in the study is the significant gap between workers’ and IT managers’ awareness of company software policies. A full 42 percent of workers say their companies either do not have a policy on licensed software use or they don’t know, while 86 percent of IT managers claim that their companies have either a written policy or an informal one. It is no surprise, then, that less than half of IT managers surveyed are very confident that their company’s software is properly licensed.
“Most people don’t know what is installed on their systems. That needs to change,” said BSA President and CEO Victoria Espinel. “There are common-sense steps managers and administrators can take to make sure their organisations are using genuine, properly licensed software.”
Another concern for businesses is accidental piracy. “As methods to manufacture and sell counterfeit software become more sophisticated, there is an urgent need for greater awareness of this critical problem. Unsuspecting companies are at risk of downloading or purchasing counterfeit software that can expose them to spyware, malware and viruses that can lead to identity theft, loss of data, and system failures,” said Haman. “Local law enforcement is taking action to tackle software counterfeiting. An effective partnership between the public and private sector is crucial to reducing unlicensed software use.”
Globally, unlicensed software use continues to be a major problem with 43 percent of the software installed on PCs around the world not properly licensed. Emerging markets now account for 56 percent of all PCs in use globally — and nearly three-quarters of all unlicensed software installations (73 percent). That trend is likely to continue.