Zawya: Illegal software use is down two percent points in Jordan

Amman, May 31, 2009 - Piracy of software on personal computers (PC) in Jordan fell by two percentage points, from 2007 to 2008 second only to Qatar and Tunisia, while half of the 110 countries studied saw piracy rates drop and only 15% increased. Industry losses, due to software piracy, in Jordan rose to USD 22 Million in 2008.

These are among the findings of the sixth annual global PC software piracy study released today by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an international association representing the global software industry. The study covers 110 countries and was conducted independently by IDCIDC, the information technology (IT) industry's leading global market research and forecasting firm.

"This report demonstrates the impact that the public/private partnership between the Business Software Alliance and the Department of the National Library are making in Jordan to further reduce software piracy," said Aly Harakeh, Spokesperson, Eastern Mediterranean BSA committee chair. "In these uncertain economic times it is vital that companies do not skip corners and use unlicensed software, as this would increase the detrimental impact on those businesses, consumers as well as the local and global economy." (more)