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Unlicensed PC Software Installed Cost East & Southern Africa $540 Million in 2013, Says BSA

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The 2013 Global Software Survey says that on average, 73 percent of the software installed on personal computers (PCs) across East and Southern Africa in 2013 was not properly licensed.

The report says that the commercial value of unlicensed software in Kenya alone totaled $128 million last year; in the Middle East and Africa the commercial value of unlicensed software was $4.3 billion in 2013.

Rates of unlicensed software installations declined slightly across the region from 2011 to 2013. In Kenya, the rate was unchanged at 78 percent in 2013; 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. However, the commercial value of unlicensed software across the region actually decreased from $672 million in 2011 to $540 million in 2013.

The survey further 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.”

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.

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.”

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