It is now estimated that 42 per cent of all software running on the world's computers in 2010 had been stolen. That works out to a value of $59 billion, up 14 per cent from a year ago.
The figures are part of the eighth annual look at software piracy done by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which represents major software firms.
In 2010, PC shipments to the emerging economies outpaced mature markets for the first time. The chart above shows where most of the piracy is taking place.
In Canada, it's estimated 28 per cent of software is pirated, down six per cent in the last five years.
Michael Murphy, Chairman of the BSA Canada Committee, said progress has been made in reducing the software piracy rate in Canada but there is still work to be done.
"The further we reduce software piracy, the better it will be for the Canadian economy," he said.
The study also looked at user attitudes among 15,000 computer users.
68 per cent of respondents said we should reward inventors for their creations to promote more technology advances. The vast majority also recognize that legal copies of programs mean better technical support, security and reliability.
The survey did not ask how many people would be happy to get a program without paying full price.
Michael Cowpland, founder of Ottawa's Corel Software, said years ago that software pirates were part of his marketing efforts. They made people aware of Corel software, and at some point he said he thought it helped his overall sales.
The industry contends the pirates stifle innovation by pulling away billions in revenue.
The figures are part of the eighth annual look at software piracy done by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which represents major software firms.
In 2010, PC shipments to the emerging economies outpaced mature markets for the first time. The chart above shows where most of the piracy is taking place.
In Canada, it's estimated 28 per cent of software is pirated, down six per cent in the last five years.
Michael Murphy, Chairman of the BSA Canada Committee, said progress has been made in reducing the software piracy rate in Canada but there is still work to be done.
"The further we reduce software piracy, the better it will be for the Canadian economy," he said.
The study also looked at user attitudes among 15,000 computer users.
68 per cent of respondents said we should reward inventors for their creations to promote more technology advances. The vast majority also recognize that legal copies of programs mean better technical support, security and reliability.
The survey did not ask how many people would be happy to get a program without paying full price.
Michael Cowpland, founder of Ottawa's Corel Software, said years ago that software pirates were part of his marketing efforts. They made people aware of Corel software, and at some point he said he thought it helped his overall sales.
The industry contends the pirates stifle innovation by pulling away billions in revenue.