Illegal software use is down two percentage points in Jordan

Industry losses, due to software piracy, in Jordan rose to $22m 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 IDC, the information technology (IT) industry's leading global market research and forecasting firm.

Aly Harakeh, Spokesperson, Eastern Mediterranean BSA Committee Chair, said:

"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. 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."

Jordan has witnessed a steady decline in software piracy rates since 2003, managing to reduce piracy below the regional average for the first time. Local anti-piracy efforts, led by the Department of the National Library under Director General Maamoun Talhouni and his team, have been the major contributor in increasing Intellectual Property awareness amidst businesses and educational facilities and combating piracy.

Mr. Talhouni stated, "Lowering software piracy on a year to year basis will achieve measurable results for the Kingdom such as substantial economic benefits, highly skilled jobs in the labor force, supporting the creation of new companies and funding public services through the increase of revenues from taxes. With the direct backing of His Majesty King Abdullah II, The Department of the National Library and the Government of Jordan are making continuous efforts to fight software piracy and protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. We are happy to see that the piracy rates in Jordan are decreasing every year, and this is testimony to the commitment shown by the team at the National Library. However, it is important to keep in mind that combating anti-piracy will only be successful through continuous and sustained efforts that will ensure maximum adherence to IPR and copyright laws."

Software piracy affects much more than just industry revenues. An IDC study released in January 2008 found that reducing software piracy in Jordan could generate hundreds of new jobs, and millions of dollars in economic growth, while increasing tax revenues to support local programs and services. A 10% decrease in software piracy over the next four years would create an additional 436 jobs, $47m in local industry revenues and $14m in additional tax revenues for federal, regional and local governments.

The study covers 110 countries and was conducted independently by IDC, the information technology (IT) industry's leading global market research and forecasting firm. It covers piracy of all packaged software that run on personal computers, including desktops, laptops, and ultra-portables. The study does not include other types of software such as server- or mainframe-based software. IDC used proprietary statistics for software and hardware shipments and enlisted IDC analysts in more than sixty countries to confirm software piracy trends.